On the mile Magazine 08/13 by Shawn Crary

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HOMECOMING RETURNS OCTOBER 18–20, 2013 Join in the celebration!

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ummer went by so quick this year. It was a mad dash for me to create last minute vacation plans and time to clean out guest rooms for visiting relatives. Now that it’s done—vacation, family visits, and all the lovely summer produce— have sadly come to a slow end. The kids’ swim tans are lightening up, as well as my telltale sandal tan. On to the next season, which is filled with less sun, more books, more reflection, and a lot of feel good events and stories here On the Mile.

With that in mind, OTM made sure to get you information about what’s happening this season in our close-knit community. For this issue, we merged our Happenings and Around the Mile sections with our Tigers section, which covers Pacific events. We felt we could put the two sections together seamlessly. It’s a lot easier to find Pacific and on the Mile events for both students and the general public in one section of the magazine. Tell us what you think of the new changes and if it works for you. Speaking of school, OTM highlighted two alumni of Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law for the fall issue’s feature story. The two alumni, Ted Olson (’62) and Andy Pugno (’99), were the lead attorneys for both the prosecution and defense of the landmark case that deemed Proposition 8, California’s voterapproved law banning same-sex marriages, was unconstitutional. It was an inspirational story that had to be told about the two alumni and Supreme Court Judge, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who coincidentally also teaches at Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. Also check out all the new changes at the Miracle Mile Improvement District in News on the Mile section on page 22. Along with a new website, newsletter, and logo, the MMID is making sure it’s empowering Mile merchants and supporting community to get active and work together to build a better neighborhood. With so much going on and all the changes being felt in the neighborhood, I hope you get a chance to enjoy it. After all the fun and sun in the summer, fall is time for you, and thinking about what leaves you’ll be turning over! PHOTO BY // GENA ROMA PHOTOGRAPH Y

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FEATURE on the mile

Justice by the Numbers Local Ties to DOMA, Prop. 8 Run from Washington to UOP and Beyond

By Alan Naditz | Feature Writer

ne wouldn’t think there’s much of a relationship between a Supreme Court Justice in Washington D.C. and a piece of paper in a Manteca woman’s hand. Hungarian author Frigyes Karinthy would disagree. And he’d be right. In 1929, Karinthy founded the notion of “Six Degrees of Separation,” where any individual or thing can be tied to another through no more than five other people or things. That’s certainly held true with regard to the Supreme Court’s June 26 decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8, both of which ended specific bans on same-sex marriages at the state and federal levels.

This “degrees of separation” trail runs from the nation’s highest court, through a local university, and ultimately down to a pair of San Joaquin County residents. At the top of the chain is the Supreme Court’s ruling to eliminate Section 3 of DOMA, giving legally married same-sex couples the same rights to federal benefits as heterosexual couples (see sidebar).

The deciding vote in the 5-4 decision came from Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who taught Constitutional Law at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law from 1965 until his appointment to the Supreme Court by President Reagan in 1988. He still teaches at McGeorge’s international summer law program in Salzburg, Austria, and is the school’s longest-tenured professor. In his decision, Kennedy said DOMA was unfair to gay and lesbian couples, and to the thousands of children being raised by them. “DOMA instructs all federal officials, and indeed all persons with whom same-sex couples interact, including their own children, that their marriage is less worthy than the marriages of others,” Kennedy wrote. “The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity.”

III

Take the leap from federal to state court, and you’ll find that Kennedy is not Pacific’s only legal presence in these landmark cases. Two of the attorneys involved in the

Prop. 8 fight are UOP-McGeorge alumni. Theodore Olson, a 1962 graduate, representing the American Foundation for Equal Rights, argued that Prop. 8 was unconstitutional. On the other side sat Andrew Pugno, a 1999 McGeorge graduate whose client, ProtectMarriage, helped place Prop. 8 on the state ballot five years ago. It was the first time that plaintiff and defense attorneys in a Supreme Court case were from the same non-Ivy League school, according to the American Journal of Political Science.

Prop. 8, passed by voters in 2008, made same-sex marriage illegal in California. A U.S. District Court in 2010 declared the law unconstitutional (see sidebar), and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision in 2012. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, dismissed an appeal by Prop. 8’s proponents on technical grounds, allowing the District Court’s decision to stand. This time, Kennedy was one of the dissenting judges. The court actions mean same-sex couples throughout California can join the 18,000 couples who were married when such partnerships could be legally performed for a few months in 2008, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Olson noted that the Supreme Court’s decision to basically not make a decision on Prop. 8 resulted in a “momentous victory” for everyone. “With Proposition 8 finally gone, our nation moves one giant step closer toward the day when every American—in every state—will be able to equally enjoy the fundamental freedom to marry,” Olson said. “This is a proud day for all Americans.” The attorney, who was named by Time magazine as one of “The 100 Greatest Thinkers of Our Time” in 2010, has credited his family, his

fellow McGeorge graduates, and his former debate coach Paul Winters – for whom an annual debate tournament is now held at UOP – as giving him the foresight needed for cases like this one. “Our team was incredibly diverse for a small campus in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley—women, men, black, white, Jewish, Indian, Asian, sighted and blind. We tended to be oblivious to the characteristics that might divide or separate us: gender, race, religion, ethnicity or anything else like that,” Olson told McGeorge graduates during a commencement speech in May 2012. “So we left Pacific unwilling to accept bigotry or discrimination—and, hopefully, having learned the passion and courage to fight against it when we see it.” Pugno, on the other hand, is not giving up the fight. The attorney helped pass a similar initiative in 2000, Prop. 22, which defined marriage as being between one man and one woman. The state Supreme Court invalidated that law in 2008, and he quickly rebounded by gathering signatures for Prop. 8. He and ProtectMarriage maintain that the Supreme Court’s action—and the Ninth Circuit Court’s next-day allowance of the issuance of marriage licenses, well before a legally required 25-day waiting period— deprived them of any chance to ask for a case re-hearing. In addition, California’s constitution requires public officials to enforce any voter-passed initiative until an appellate court declares it to be unconstitutional statewide, Pugno notes. “The undeniable fact is, the man-woman definition of marriage, as passed by a majority of the voters, is still a valid part of our state constitution,” he said. “It remains to be seen what California officials will do now.” (No such appellate order had been issued as of press time.) Continued on page 6 AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

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FEATURE on the mile

The “path” of the Six Degrees:

Continued from page 5

Ann and Judy Mollica

Differing Views While the Mollicas rejoice, others, such as the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin, were not happy but accepted the rulings. “We in the Diocese of San Joaquin are troubled by the decision of the Supreme Court, but we are Christians under authority, and will respect their decision,” Bishop Eric Menees said. “However…it is now and will remain the policy of this diocese that marriage is a sacrament of the church held for a sacred service of one man and one woman, who are binding themselves to God and one another for as long as they live. We will respect and love our brothers and sisters who chose to live outside of those bonds, either gay or straight, but we will not bless what God has expressly forbidden.” And then there are those who believe the world just changed for the worse. “It’s a sad day,” said Pastor Bill Cummins at Bear Creek 6 | on the M I L E

San Joaquin County

MANTECA, CA

Sidebar

Meanwhile, county clerks throughout the state have begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Thus far, it’s been business as usual, according to San Joaquin County Clerk Ken Blakemore. That would be in line with the tiny uptick when such marriages were last legal. In summer 2008, the county registered only a 1 percent increase in overall licenses from summer 2007, according to the UCLA School of Law. Which brings us to the piece of paper: a marriage certificate held by Manteca residents Ann and Judy Mollica, who were one of San Joaquin County’s first samesex marriages when they tied the knot in June 2008. Not surprisingly, the couple applauded the court’s rulings. They have waiting been for five years to have the same federal rights as heterosexual married couples. “We won on both issues,” Judy said. “Ann and I can now file for federal tax [credits] just like heteros. Happy, happy days.”

AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

End of the Line for DOMA

What the Supreme Court did:

Declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This eliminated DOMA’s definitions of “spouse” and “marriage” for federal purposes.

The result: Major changes include the fact

that pre-existing and future same-sex marriages are now recognized by the federal government, and same-sex couples may now receive federal marriage benefits, healthcare, unemployment and spousal survivor’s benefits, among other items. Same-sex couples can no longer be discriminated against when buying housing or when applying for jobs. Laws on child adoption are a lot less complicated, as are those for estate taxes. However, these changes only apply to states where same-sex marriages are legal, and only if the married persons still live in one of those states.

On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)’s major component, Section 3, all but ending the 17-year-old The flip side: Same-sex marriages are subject to the same higher tax rates as hetlaw. Here’s a quick look at now erosexual married couples. Divorced same-sex are subject to alimony and child support some of what’s changed couples laws. The same type of conflict of interest laws apply (for example, one spouse who is dowith the act as a result of now ing business with the federal government canconduct business if they have a spouse who the court’s actions: not is a federal employee, nor can you go on strike

What it was: A United States federal law

enacted on Sept. 21, 1996, that allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages granted under the laws of other states. For example, a same-sex couple married in Massachusetts (or now California), where it is legal, would not be considered married in Kentucky, where samesex unions are not legal. In addition, federal laws did not consider any such marriages legal.

What it did: Defined “spouse” as a mem-

ber of the opposite sex, and defined “marriage” as only being recognizable, in federal terms, as a “legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.”

Its impact: DOMA, under Section 3, ef-

fectively barred same-sex married couples from being recognized as “spouses” for purposes of federal laws, or receiving federal marriage benefits. This applied to states and territories making up about 30 percent of the nation’s population.

if you work for your same-sex spouse). And, if a same-sex married couple moves to a state where same-sex marriages are not performed, all the federal benefit rights (and penalties) disappear.

What’s left: States, U.S. territories and Indian tribes are free to establish their own laws regarding same-sex marriages, under the stillexisting Section 2 of DOMA. Same-sex marriages are currently performed in 13 states, the District of Columbia, and five Native American tribes. Six other states offer same-sex unions granting rights similar to marriage.

UOP-McGeorge School of Law Alumni Andrew Pugno, Theodore Olson

y Clerk

Prop. 8 decision WASHINGTON, DC

Community Church in Lodi. “Our entire civilization has been built upon the premise that marriage is between a man and a woman.” According to Mike Fitzgerald, a columnist for the Stockton Record, people in general have a long way to go before they will truly accept what the Supreme Court has set into motion. “San Joaquin County has some soulsearching to do,” he notes. “Voters in this county approved Prop. 8 by about 65 percent to 35 percent – almost a 2-to-1 tally.” No matter which viewpoint members of the public take, none will deny that the two cases, and UOP’s involvement in them, have made history, according to Larry Levine, a professor of law at McGeorge. “Few would doubt that this is one of the major civil rights battles of our time,” Levine said on the UOP McGeorge School of Law website. “And to have Pacific represented by both sides of the argument and a justice is laudable.” on the mile

Justice Anthony Kennedy, UOP-McGeorge School of Law Professor

U.S. Supreme Court DOMA ruling

At Work and Play With ‘8’ While much of the spotlight for the decision on Prop. 8 has been on Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and attorneys Andrew Pugno and Theodore Olson – all with connections to University of the Pacific – one more UOP notable has been on the sidelines getting the word out about both sides of the controversial law. Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black has been making the rounds nationwide with “8 – The Play,” a drama about the court fight over Prop. 8. Black, who won an Oscar for his 2008 screenplay for “Milk,” about slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, was keynote speaker at Pacific’s Western Regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Ally (LGBTQIA) conference in February 2012. The Northern California native decided to write “8” after attending court proceedings for the case involving Prop. 8. “8” is based on transcripts from courtroom testimony, from interviews given by the parties involved in the court fight, and from personal observations by people who were in the courtroom during the legal fight, Black said. After a highly touted opening in New York City in 2011, and a live broadcast from Los Angeles on YouTube in 2012 that featured a cast including George Clooney, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Martin Sheen, the play has been performed at schools and regional theaters nationwide. At each stop, local performers and notables read the parts of the various individuals in the case. Pacific’s turn was in April, when roughly 20 drama students, faculty members, local dignitaries and community volunteers produced the show at UOP’s Long Theater. “It’s a fascinating play,” said Steve Jacobson, associate vice president for student life at UOP. “People learned things from this play that they weren’t aware of; a lot of behind the scenes elements involving Prop. 8 that weren’t really talked about.” Jacobson said he became aware of “8” after Black’s appearance at LGBTQIA in 2012, and was thrilled at the possibility of having a performance at UOP. The production was offered for free—Black said his goal was simply to get word out about Prop. 8, so he’s never asked for royalties. The only requirement is that the school not choose a date on which the production was taking place somewhere else nearby. The April 8 performance date turned out to be ideal, as the Supreme Court made its decision a few weeks later, Jacobson said. The fact that the performance was a reading – in which actors read their lines from the script while on stage—was a strong selling point with participants, Jacobson added. Local dignitaries Elizabeth Griego, Pacific’s longtime vice president of student affairs, and State Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman were among the actors. UOP Assistant Professor Macelle Mahala directed the production.

Oscar-winning writer Dustin Lance Black (top) has given the public a look at the inner workings of the Prop. 8 argument, from the national stage in Los Angeles (middle) with stars such as George Clooney and Martin Sheen. Assemblymember Susan Eggman (bottom) was one of the panelists that discussed issues surrounding marriage equality following the reading of “8 The Play” at UOP.

The script originally ended with the closing arguments that led up to the U.S. District Court’s ruling in 2010 that Prop. 8 was unconstitutional. But as time has passed, the final scene has been repeatedly revised to reflect updated events. With the law’s effective dismissal in late June, Black jokingly said he’ll probably have to rewrite the play’s ending somewhat. However, in the long term, he hopes there one day won’t be a need for “8” on stage. “Actually, I hope to eventually toss it in the trash,” he said. “When that happens, I know it will have accomplished its mission.”

AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

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DINE on the mile

The Secret to Duck Nook’s Decades-long Success— Home Style Comfort Food and Customer Service By Gayle Romasanta

he Duck Nook on Harding Way and Pacific Avenue is one of the longest running restaurants on the Miracle Mile. What’s the secret to their success? According to Laura Rodriguez, whose family has owned the Stockton breakfast and lunch diner for 22 years, is that along with their good food, they’re like the TV show, Cheers. They’re not a bar, like the long-running television program of the 80s and 90s. But every regular that walks in the door, Laura and her family know their name and their order.

The Duck Nook has been around for longer than the 22 years the Rodriguez family has owned it—the restaurant has been open for over 30 years. Robert and Martha Rodriguez bought the restaurant in the early 90’s. They didn’t change the menu, but kept the original Duck Nook offerings. They added a few things over the years, like Mexican food, a few breakfast and lunch items. But for the most part, the names and menu has kept to its original Duck Nook roots. There is however, an expert chef behind the scenes. Roland, their son, now is the chef behind Duck Nook’s home style American food. Roland graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco and brought his expertise to the family business. He’s proud of the food he makes from scratch daily that other diners usually buy prepackaged. Soups are made in house daily. The daily soup varies according to the day, with navy bean, chicken and rice, clam chowder, tortilla soup, and split pea soup rotating on different days. Burgers are handmade fresh daily as well, along

The Duck Nook Crew, Roland and Laura Rodriguez with their little helpers Isabella and Malia. PHOTOS BY LOUIE AMBRIZ

with their country potatoes and hand grated hash browns. “We take a lot of pride in what we do…the food speaks for itself,” Roland says. With favorites like their Hunters omelette, with bacon, sausage, ham, blended with eggs, and potatoes, to their chicken fried steak, there’s a lot to choose from for both long-time and new customers. “We have a lot of relationships with customers. A lot of people come in and they have their own businesses. It’s a full circle. They come in here and eat and we give them our business too” Laura says. Duck Nook also sees many students from Pacific as well. “I don’t know if it’s upper classmen telling the incoming class about us, but

every year there’s new freshmen. They show up for breakfast. Lately, it’s been a larger part of business,” Roland says. Duck Nook has a loyal following that has been coming to the restaurant for decades. One of the customers, Joe Clegg, secretary at Western Alinement in Stockton, has been coming to the Duck Nook every Friday since the 90s for what he calls “Chicken Fried Friday.” It’s a term he’s coined with his friends who eat with him every Friday morning. He comes in with a retired City of Stockton employee, along with employees at Mid Cal Body Shop. His boss, Ray Young, owner of Western Alinement comes in most days Duck Nook is open for breakfast. Young’s wife, Marga-

ret, is also a loyal customer. “She (Martha) does an excellent job. She has great food, good service and it’s really hard to beat the price. If you go to a chain restaurant and then go to Duck Nook, you’ll notice the difference. One of the big attractions is that she opens up at 6:30 a.m. if you need to get to work early. I couldn’t speak higher of any place else,” Clegg says. It’s apparent Clegg and the regulars love this Mile breakfast and lunch institution. “If you’re working on a diet, she’ll accommodate you,” Clegg adds. The Duck Nook is open Monday, Wednesday through Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 103 W Harding Way. on the mile

AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

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BEAUTIFUL on the mile

When Elmer Clawson and his wife, Rasheeda, were shopping for a house, they told their Realtor that they wanted to be able to hear the University of Pacific bells chiming. The Realtor succeeded with this 2,933 sq. ft. Spanish style home. The second story outdoor veranda makes Elmer and Rasheeda Clauson feel like they have a perch in the adjacent tree to look over the neighborhood and relax. The living room alone sold artist Rasheeda Clauson, especially, when they walked into the home in 1999. The artistic wrought iron details and beautiful wood beams add a touch of elegance to the Spanish home. PHOTOS BY GENE BELEY

Clausons’ Mediterranean Style Retirement Home— Within Range of the UOP Clock Tower’s Chimes By Gene Beley

lmer Clawson, a former University of the Pacific professor in the School of Education, and his artist wife, Rasheeda, retired in 1996 and moved to Florence, Oregon. It wasn’t long, though, before they missed the amenities in Stockton and its Mediterranean climate. When they returned to look for a house in 1999, the first criteria was the home had to be within hearing distance of the Pacific belltower clock chime!

They found their 1938 vintage, 2,233 square foot house, plus its 700 square foot basement, on Kensington Way. “The house reflects Rasheeda’s artistic tastes,” said Elmer, pointing to the wrought iron artwork in the ceiling of the living room and staircase leading to the second floor. “The wide planked, dark hardwood floors are the original mahogany that would be very expensive

to replace today. And living near the university is a blessing.” Elmer’s retirement project is the Amerti Society oral history program at Pacific with interviews that capture experiences of students, professors, and employees. Rasheeda keeps busy in her basement studio “all purpose room” with her paintings that have been winning awards. Elmer has his office downstairs

and a small wine cellar room with a bar. When guests enter the Clawson home, the living room welcomes people immediately to the left. Walking straight forward from the door, one is led into the kitchen that features a butcher-block counter and all new stainless steel appliances. There is a stained glass inset in the window overlooking the back yard and white cabinetry with glass seethrough panels. Originally, there was a solid wall with a door that contained the maid’s quarters. The previous owner transformed that area into a den with a bathroom. The backyard has a Mediterranean theme and easy maintenance yard, all perfect for entertaining and comfortable seating on wrought iron outdoor furniture. A breakfast eating area is to the right of the kitchen. It leads to a larger formal dining room with a western bronze statue and large painting that were found in local Miracle Mile shops.

Rasheeda’s son Mark Riddlesperger used a TV entertainment center and repurposed it into an open bar that sits on the wall next to the dining room table. Upstairs are the two bedrooms and a patio off one of the bedrooms that overlooks Kensington Way. When they’re up there at treetop level, it quickly brings back the California lifestyle they returned for like two homing pigeons. on the mile ................................................................... “On the Mile” magazine along with Stockton Beautiful selects one home each quarter that’s featured in “Beautiful on the Mile.” The Miracle Mile District residence highlighted exemplifies pride of ownership and defines the uniqueness of this historic neighborhood. Gerry Dunlap and Charles Lester established Stockton Beautiful in 1993. Stockton Beautiful’s mission is to make our community a more beautiful place to live and to identify and protect its aesthetic resources.

AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

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HAPPENINGS on the mile Education Key to Brighter Future By Councilmember Moses Zapien Last month, I had the opportunity to interact with elementary and high school students enrolled in some of the most innovative summer educational programs in our community. It was truly an inspiring and uplifting experience for me to listen to and speak with the professionals, business owners, and community leaders of tomorrow. As your city council representative, it’s my pleasure to highlight some of those innovative educational programs in our community that are helping to shape Stockton’s future. University of the Pacific’s campus is home to many of those educational programs. Centrally located in our council district, Pacific has partnered with local schools, governmental agencies, and nonprofit groups, to establish the Tomorrow Project—a collection of summer learning academies aimed at increasing college readiness in K - 12 students. Of the eight academies currently offered, I had the opportunity to visit or speak at three of them: Prep - USA Reach for the Stars, Academia de Matematicas, and Summer Success Leadership Academy. At Prep – USA, students conduct scientific experiments—like constructing a tower out of dried spaghetti noodles or testing the electrical conductivity of bread dough—as a way to build critical thinking skills and inspire them to seek careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students wanting to improve both their math and Spanish language skills at the same time can enroll in the Academia de Matematicas. The Academia provides students in the 7th through 10th grades with a rigorous mathematics curriculum taught primarily in Spanish. The Academia also focuses on college readiness and teaches students and parents the importance of establishing a support system that promotes educational success. And for those students looking to get a glimpse of college life, the Summer Success Leadership Academy offers that opportunity. Led by co-founders Ty-Licia Hooker and fellow councilmember Michael Tubbs, students experience the joys and challenges of college life as they live in dorms and study on Pacific’s campus in this week-long, intensive program. Councilmembers Dyane Burgos, Tubbs, and I joined the academy students one evening to share life experiences and discuss the importance and role of education in the community. Innovative educational programs such as these provide valuable learning opportunities for our youth to expand intellectually and grow as citizens. Academy graduates are more likely to attend college, obtain higher paying jobs, and be more civically engaged. In turn, that contributes to Stockton’s social, economic, and civic future—and that future is bright. For more information on Pacific’s Tomorrow Project, visit www.pacific.edu Councilmember Moses Zapien can be contacted at Dist4@stocktongov.com.

The Mile Has Plenty of Buyers and Low Inventory This has been an active real estate year in Stockton. Prices have risen about 20%. Sellers are starting to put properties on the market as they have heard there is no inventory available for sale. It is a good time to take advantage of the higher prices and plenty of buyers wanting to invest in Stockton homes. The Miracle Mile Area between San Joaquin Street & Pershing Avenue and between the Calaveras River and Harding Way has had 40 residential homes (including condos) sell in the last three months, averaging $155,664. 37 houses (excluding condos) sold, averaging a sales price of $165,191 and $108 per square foot, with a high of $379,900 and a low of $65,000. There are 18 active listings with a median price of $188,000 and an average asking $136 per sq ft. The lowest asking price is $129,900 and the highest is $900,000. There are 26 pending sales. There is one active multi-residential listing asking $97,500 and three multi units that have sold this quarter with a median price of $130,000. We even have four active commercial property listings from a low of $5,900 to a high of $449,000. Buyers are trying to purchase before interest rates creep up above 5% and still take advantage of the low asking prices relative to our zenith in 2005 when the median price was $425,000. The market is booming, don’t be left behind! Call your Realtor and make a sale happen. Jean is a 4th Generation Miracle Mile Stocktonian. She has been selling Stockton houses since 1985. CENTURY 21 Exchange Realty License #00897701. Located at 2027 Grand Canal Blvd. #27 Stockton CA 95207  Office: 209-644-1717, Cell: 209-981-0785 Fax: 209-951-2134 www.jeanmcgurk.com, email: stknjean@aol.com 12 | on the M I L E

AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

HAPPENINGS on the mile

After much anticipation, the Pacific Avenue median were unveiled in June. Left to right: Mimi Nguyen, Kevin Dougherty, Carol Hirota, Karen Carlson, Jeff Gamboni, Michelle Mills, Sherry Fisher, Jeff Gibson.

Swimming Pools Do’s and Don’ts

The Stockton Municipal Code, Section 13.28.030, prohibits the draining and refilling of any existing swimming pools between June 1st and October 1st each year. Although it may not seem so with the recent rain, but June through October are our area’s driest months, and it is important to conserve water to avoid drought conditions. A moderately sized swimming pool can hold over 15,000 gallons of water. To put it in perspective, the average bathtub can hold 50 gallons of water. Emptying and refilling a swimming pool in the driest time of the year wastes one of our most precious resources at a time when we need it the most. The Municipal Code does allow for filling newly constructed pools during this time, and to protect public health and safety. While water conservation is everyone’s responsibility, so is protecting our waterways. Stockton is surrounded by rivers, sloughs, and the Delta that make our area unique. Water run-off from our yards, driveways, and streets flows directly into the Delta. This water is untreated, so it is important for all of us to reduce the chemicals and pollutants entering the waterways from the source. This includes draining our swimming pools. Swimming pool water contains a variety of chemicals, algae and bacteria that can harm our local waterways and wildlife. When it is time to empty your pool, make sure to drain to a sanitary sewer cleanout. Allowing your pool to drain to the gutter, which flows directly to our waterways, is prohibited by the Stockton Municipal Code. If you need assistance locating your clean out, please call 937-8700 and City staff can help.

Celebrate Stockton is Magnificent with Positivity and Community Building In April 2011 the “Stockton is Magnificent” committee presented the first event to celebrate the positive aspects of our community, and it was repeated in September 2012. In late 2012 the committee chose to form a nonprofit organization to further the purpose of the event. The purpose of the Stockton is Magnificent, Inc. is to encourage civic pride, and to inspire and educate Stockton residents of the rich and diverse past, present and future of our community. The “2013 Celebrate Stockton is Magnificent” event is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th from noon to 3:00p.m. on the Miracle Mile. As in the past, there will be “Unsung Heroes” awards, historical exhibits, local authors, volunteer entertainment, over 100 nonprofit organizations, flash mobs, art competitions, the Big Picture, and an artist-in-residence, Stockton photographer Arturo Vera. New this year will be a children’s parade to kick off the event, an agriculture alley, cultural exhibits, vendors, and a stage dedicated to children’s entertainment. For more information on how your organization can get involved, contact Denise Jefferson, denise@stocktonmagnificent.com. AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

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Welcome to Downtown Stockton, home to 50 diverse restaurants, local baseball and hockey, and a beautiful downtown waterfront. Enjoy entertainment at the Stockton Arena, Bob Hope Theatre, or IMAX movies. Celebrate outdoors at Weber Point, Downtown Marina, or Joan Darrah Promenade. P ict ured, S t o ckt o n A ren a a n d University Plaza Waterfront Hotel on the downtown waterfront. Photo by SCVB

www.downtownstockton.org 209.464.5246 125 Bridge Place, 3rd Floor Stockton, CA 95202 Scan this tag with your smart phone to sign up for Downtown Stockton monthly eNewsletter.

The 6th Taste of San Joaquin Comes Back with More Food, Beer and Music The 6th Blue Moon’s Taste of San Joaquin comes back to Weber Point on August 17, 11:30 am - 6:30 pm. This year’s festival is managed by SMG Stockton. It will offer all the usual attractions like beer and wine gardens, a variety of food and BBQ vendors, kids activities and, of course, a BBQ contest. New this year, SMG opens the contest to local barbecuing aficionados who can apply to enter by

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calling 209.373.1446. Blue Moon’s Taste 2013 will feature a not-to-be-missed stage line up. Lydia Pense and Cold Blood will play their own specific brand of funk/soul and R&B which came to be known as East Bay Grease. Latin Magic Band will get the crowd dancing with their hot Cumbias and Latin Rock. Two bands from Modesto, Poor House Millionaires and the House of Orange, will play a

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wide range of original and cover tunes. All of that for just $5 admission! Tickets to the festival are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster Outlets or at the Stockton Arena Ticket Office. Children 12 and under enter free with a paying adult. To learn more about the Taste, visit www.tasteofsanjoaquin.com.

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The Port of Stockton Celebrates Their 80th Anniversary with Free Boat Cruises Every school child in Stockton should know that their town is the largest inland seaport in California. This year, the Port celebrates its 80th anniversary since its opening in 1933 as the first modern inland port in California with rail service directly onto the docks. “The Port of Stockton has a rich history, and has played a key role in the economic vitality for Stockton and San Joaquin County. The Port generates over $40 million in additional revenue for the City of Stockton and is a major job provider, which has been accomplished without taxing our citizens,” said Richard Aschieris, Port Director. To celebrate such esteemed occasion, the Port teamed up with Opportunity Cruises offering free, two-hour boat tours of the Port’s facilities.

operations from the water,” commented Aschieris. The cruises will be offered every Saturday through August, at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm on aboard the “California Sunset.” They will depart from the Downtown Stockton Marina. During the tour, the history, current activities and future developments of the Port of Stockton will be presented. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

For ticket reservations, visit www. “More than $1 billion of cargo crosses our opportunitycruises.com or call 209-259docks every year, and this is a wonderful 3815. To learn more about the Port of opportunity for the public to see port Stockton, visit www.stocktonport.com.

Stocktoberfest Brings Main Stream, Craft and Local Brews to the Waterfront Keg lifting competitions, craft beers on tap, sausages, home brews, chicken dance dance-offs and, of course, beer stein and keg holding competitions, are what draws hundreds of people to Stocktoberfest every year since 2009. The 5th annual beer festival at the Waterfront Warehouse Amphitheater on October 5 will be a not to be missed event! Modeled after a German Oktoberfest with a Stockton twist, Stocktoberfest seating is outdoors on the waterfront with long tables, wooden benches and BIG glass steins. Last year, Stocktoberfest featured 17 main stream and craft beers as well as some local brews. Visitors could learn about brewing process and talk to specialists in the field. Similar set up is expected for this year’s festival. Admission will include an Oktoberfest-style glass beer stein (filled to the brim once), live entertainment ranging from polka to rock and free participation in a variety of contests. Stocktoberfest is known for stein holding and keg lifting competitions.Photo by I. Hill www.downtownstockton.org

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To learn more, visit www.stocktoberfest.com or call Downtown Stockton Alliance at 209-464-5246. /D_townStockton

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Electrifying Downtown Stockton

Farmers Market, Saturdays El Dorado St. @ Hwy 4 Year-round, 6 am - 10 am www.DowntownStockton.org Farmers Market, Wednesdays E. Main St. @ Bob Hope Theatre May-October, 9 am - 2 pm www.sjcFarmersMarket.com Mexican Heritage Center and Gallery Art Exhibits, Every month www.Facebook.com/mhcGallery First Friday Mixers with Music and Art Cafe Coop, Every first Friday www.CafeCoop.org Soulfood Festival Weber Point Event Center, Aug 3 www.AAACCCstockton.org Taste of San Joaquin Weber Point Event Center, Aug 17 www.TasteOfSanJoaquin.com Jazz on the Waterfront University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, Aug 18 Facebook.com/ UniversityPlazaWaterfrontHotel Stocktoberfest Waterfront Warehouse Amphitheater, Oct 5 www.Stocktoberfest.com Stockton Ports Stadium: Baseball Games: August 6-11, August 20-26 www.StocktonPorts.com Stockton Arena: www.StocktonLive.com Stockton-Con, Aug 3 Stockton Thunder Hockey Oct 19 & 23 Bob Hope Theatre: www.StocktonLive.com Dr. No, Classic Movie, Aug 18 Elvis - If I Can Dream, Sep 6 The Godfather II, Movie, Sep 15 In My Life, Beatles Tribute, Sep 28 Anjelah Johnson, Stand up, Oct 5

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Weber Avenue lights up in the evenings with new, decorative LED lighting, Photo by DSA

Initiatives from several different downtown businesses have recently brought to Downtown Stockton clean energy solutions. In June, San Joaquin Regional Transit District introduced into service the first in northern California commercial production, fast-charge zero-emission buses. This effort supports San Joaquin RTD’s Strategic Initiatives by reducing energy consumption, waste, and pollution, while fostering vendor innovation and new technologies. Downtown employees have also noticed the sleek FedEx delivery tracks quietly delivering parcels throughout downtown. FedEx introduced these vehicles to Stockton in the late 2012. Downtown Stockton Alliance (DSA) is also thinking about cleaner downtown and more efficient operations. By the end of July, DSA will have a fleet of five electric-batterypowered vehicles to move staff, equipment, and make deliveries throughout downtown. The vehicles were funded by a grant from the Clean Valley Air District. Yet another DSA’s electric project brings more security and improvement to Weber Avenue, the main artery of Downtown Stockton. To create more festive and welcoming atmosphere DSA installed hundreds of energy efficient LED lights on trees along Weber. “We don’t really have a 24-hour community yet. (...) The streets being lit up are an inviting mechanism for people to come and enjoy our downtown,” commented Zac Cort, a member of the DSA’s Economic Committee. To learn more about Downtown Stockton, visit www. DowntownStockton.org or follow us on www.Facebook. com/DowntownStockton. /D_townStockton

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HAPPENINGS on the mile What YOU Can Do About Crime An Expo on Crime Prevention Sept 26th 4pm-8pm At Central United Methodist Church 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA Invited Guests include: Eric Jones, Chief, Stockton Police Department Steve Moore, Sheriff, San Joaquin County Sheriff ’s Department James P. Willett, District Attorney San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office Stephanie James, Chief Probation Officer, San Joaquin County Probation Michael Belcher, Chief, University of the Pacific Police Department Jim West, Chief, Stockton Unified School District Police Department And many more! The expo will include: organizations, agencies, and vendors dealing with public safety, the criminal justice system, and crime prevention techniques and technologies. Our goal is to empower our neighbors to take a stand against crime and seek solutions that reduce their chances of becoming a victim. If you would like to know how YOU can help yourself, your neighbors, and area business owners with great tips, techniques, and advice on preventing crimes from happening, please join the University Neighborhood Renaissance Committee as we host “What YOU Can Do About Crime”! This informative solutions-based expo is the collective brainchild of the UNRC to help our community combat crime by providing a forum of education to crime prevention. Talk to organizations that are working within our community making a difference every day. Get information from various agencies that are part of the criminal justice system. And learn about services and products from area vendors that can help prevent you from becoming a victim. Please make a point to attend from 5:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. for a mixer with key leaders and members of the criminal justice system, sponsored by the Miracle Mile Improvement District. Light refreshments will be available. For more info: www.UNRC.org Email: universityNRC@gmail.com Voicemail/Text (209) 910-4867

Pacific Homecoming Returns Oct. 18-20, 2013

All University of the Pacific alumni, families, faculty, staff, and students are invited to celebrate homecoming! There will be music, athletics, family fun, and more. There will be alumni reunions, midnight mania basketball, lip syncing, a 5k fun run, and wine tasting! There will be something for everyone! Visit www.pacific.edu/homecoming or call 866-575-7229 for more information.

U-Pick Wednesdays at the Ted and Chris Robb Garden

Throughout August pick your own fresh produce for purchase at the Ted and Chris Robb Garden U-Pick Farmer’s Market every Wednesday. Pacific’s student gardeners have been working diligently to bring lush green and organic produce to the Pacific Campus and Stockton community. Customers will learn how to pick some of their favorite vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, and squash. This summer the garden has over 70 varieties of tantalizing tomatoes and numerous varieties of peppers ranging from super sweet to makeyou-sweat spicy. Bring family and friends along for this nutritious learning experience. Open to the public—Cash or Check For more information contact Professor Mark Brunell, mbrunell@pacific.edu Ted and Chris Robb Garden 1071 W. Mendocino Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204.

Support Animal Foster Care and Adoptions by Having a Great Time at Whirlow’s

The Animal Protection League and Whirlow’s Tossed and Grilled will be holding a fundraiser October 12, starting at 6:00 p.m. for the animal organization. Last year was a success with six bands playing, raising over $25,000 for the organization. The Animal Protection League (APL) has been in existence since 1996 (doing business as Stockton Animal Shelter Friends) to promote foster care and adoption of healthy animals at the Stockton Animal Shelter. The APL has operated spay/neuter clinics since 2008 in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation. For more information about this special fundraiser, contact info@apl209. org or whirlowl@aol.com. 18 | on the M I L E

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HAPPENINGS on the mile Pacific Fall 2013 Important Dates Transfer Student Orientation, August 15-16 International Student Orientation, August 19 Student Orientation and Registration Session 3 (Freshmen), August 20-21 New Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants Orientation, August 22 Graduate Student Orientation, August 22 Classes Begin, August 26 Registration Re-opens, August 26 Labor Day Holiday, September 2 Last Day to Add Classes, September 6 Last Day to Drop Classes Without a Record of Enrollment, September 6 Last Day for Pass/No Credit or Letter Grade Option, September 6 Fall Student Break, October 4 Spring 2014 Schedule of Classes Online, October 7 Advising for Spring 2014 Continuing Students, October 14-November 1 Last Day for Pro-Rated Refund, October 17 Fall Festival (Parent and Family Weekend), October 18-20 Last Day to Withdraw, October 28

Gina and David Rishwain attended the Haggin Museum’s 25th annual á la Carte fund raiser that featured wine, beer and food tasting. The event kicked off a special exhibition “Pro Football and the American Spirit: The NFL and the U.S. Armed Forces,” which runs through September 22nd. The evening featured Honorary Chair Eddie LeBaron and cheerleaders from the San Francisco 49ers. AUGUST-OCTOBER 2013

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RESIDENTS OF MIRACLE MILE... Interested in staying up-to-date on the happenings on the Miracle Mile? Visit www.stocktonmiraclemile.com to sign up for the monthly e-mail newsletter

Music Under the Stars Spend an evening in the park with your favorite person, a picnic supper, and some great music as the Concert in the Park series continues for its 61st year. The 12-concert series typically attracts in excess of 12,000 people. This series will be held every Wednesday through Aug. 21, at Victory Park, Pershing Avenue and Argonne Way in Stockton. Concerts are free, lawn chairs and picnics welcome. The schedule for the month of August is: Aug. 14: Nick Isaak Band. Aug. 21: Waterloo. Genre: Northern California’s premier Abba tribute band. For more information, call (209) 478-9388. Happenings at the Haggin Space Junk Our planet sure looks different from space. The Earth-observing satellites in the Haggin Museum exhibit “A View from Space” see things we can’t from down here. They’ve spotted clouds of pollution and an extraterrestrial trash heap, or space junk, orbiting our planet. For the museum’s “2nd Saturday for Families” event on Saturday, Aug. 10, make a model of a satellite from some Earth-based trash and enjoy the exhibit with your family. Activities are included with price of admission ($8 for adults, $7 for seniors age 65-plus, $5 for youths age 10-17, and free for museum members, and anyone age nine or younger who are accompanied by an adult) and all materials are provided. No reservations are required; just come and have fun. For more information, call (209) 940-6315. It’s Geek Night at the Museum Enjoy intergalactic games, spacey music, campy reruns and far-out art projects on Thursday, Aug. 15. Check out the Haggin Museum’s exhibit “A View from Space” and wear your Starfleet ensemble if you dare! This event is included with regular admission ($8 for adults, $7 for seniors age 65-plus, $5 for youths age 10-17, and free for museum members, and anyone age nine or younger who are accompanied by an adult), as part of the museum’s “1st & 3rd Thursdays” series, featuring complimentary wine and

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snacks beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Curator of Education Lisa Cooperman at (209) 940-6315 or education@hagginmuseum.org.

Festa Internazionale Enjoy this fun event featuring gourmet food and wine tasting, artists, live entertainment, and cultures from around the world. On Friday, Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., sample food and wine from more than 25 different vendors from our valley’s finest caterers, restaurants, and vintners. Proceeds benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County. For ticket prices and more information, call (209) 644-5313. Spy Night with a Couple Foxes Fox40 and Friends of the Fox present “Dr. No” as a part of their Classic Cinema Series on Sunday, Aug. 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bob Hope Theatre. The world is introduced to British secret agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery) when it is discovered that mad scientist Dr. No is sabotaging rocket launchings from his hideout in Jamaica. The first 007 film is far less glitzy that any of its successors but boasts the sexiest “Bond girl” of them all, Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder, who walks out of the surf in a white bikini. This promptly made stars of her and Connery. Tickets range from $4 to $8 per person, additional fees may apply. For more information, visit www. stocktonlive.com/events/detail/ dr-no.

An Evening to Remember at UOP Save the date for the Orange and Black Ball, the popular annual event sponsored by the Pacific Athletic Foundation (PAF). This year’s ball is Saturday, Aug. 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., in the Janssen-Lagorio Gymnasium at the University of the Pacific. Enjoy a fun-filled night of wine tasting, fantastic hors d’oeuvres, tasty adult beverages, a fabulous dinner by Angelina’s, auctions, great live entertainment, and dancing. All proceeds go toward the Pacific Athletic Foundation benefiting scholarship opportunities for Pacific student-athletes. Tickets are $75 for PAF members and

AROUND the mile $675 for a PAF table of 10; $95 for non-members and $855 for a nonmember table of 10. Questions? Contact Pam Nogare at pnogare@ pacific.edu or (209) 946-3945.

Time for a Pow Wow University of the Pacific’s Native American Students Association, NASA and the Stockton Community Pow Wow Committee are proud to host the 32nd Annual Labor Day weekend Pow Wow event. Everyone is welcome to experience this campus and community gathering, where indigenous people of the West share their songs, dances, drums, arts, crafts, foods and more. Intertribal dancing songs are sung and everyone dances to the beat of the drum. Come enjoy the cultures of our Nation’s Native peoples. This event is Friday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 1 at UOP. For more information, visit https:// calendar.pacific.edu/event/32nd_ stockton_labor_day_pow-wow#. Uc_Flfm1F6l.

Artists Shine at Stockton-Con The goal of Stockton-Con is to raise awareness of outstanding artists in the San Joaquin Valley area – and to give attendees the chance to experience Popular Culture (comics, card games, video games, cards, anime, Manga, science fiction, toys, television and movies). It is also Stockton-Con’s intention to raise awareness and funds in conjunction with the United Way and St. Mary’s Dining Room. This year’s event is Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Stockton Arena. Tickets $10 per person, $4 off with a donation of gently used clothing. For more information, visit http://stocktoncon.com.

Healthy Soil, Happy Plants: A Master Gardener’s Class Learn about building healthy soil with amendments, composting and vermicomposting (composting with worms). This class is Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the City of Stockton Delta Water Supply Project building. For more information, visit http://sjmastergardeners.ucdavis.edu. Agriculture Hall of Fame Seeking Nominations The San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame (AHF) seeks nominations for outstanding agricultural leaders and mentors in our community. Now in its 29th year, AHF honors those individuals

who have contributed to agriculture and to their community in significant ways. Each year, awards are given to at least three living recipients, as well as posthumous ones. All those previously recognized in the Agricultural Hall of Fame have their photographs and biographies on display at the San Joaquin Historical Society & Museum in Micke Grove Park, and in the lobby of the new Robert J. Cabral Ag Center. They are also listed on the Chamber website on the Ag Hall of Fame page at www.stocktonchamber.org/index. php/events/ag-hall/. Nomination forms are available from the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce web page at www. stocktonchamber.org, and must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 16 to be considered. For more information, call Timm Quinn at (209) 547-2960 or visit the Stockton Chamber of Commerce website and click on the Ag Hall of Fame link in the events drop-down menu.

Last month the Miracle Mile Improvement District and Twitter/Square partnered to bring the Jack Dorsey, creator of Twitter and Square to the Miracle Mile for a short presentation and a Q and A session. Jack Dorsey is seen here with Kellie A. Jacobs, President of Valley Brew.

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NEWS on the mile MMID New Logo and Online Presence Aims to Build a Stronger Merchant and Neighborhood Community By Gayle Romasanta Mimi Nguyen, executive director of the Miracle Mile Improvement District, is heralding positive change to the MMID. With a reorganization of priorities and online presence, the MMID is ready to engage with its beloved community in more ways than one. liveshopdine MMID has a new website that is user friendly and updated regularly, designed with the help of Miracle Mile merchant Big Monkey Group. Aside from all the MMID 411 on the site, you’ll also get to read Nguyen’s blog about her work around the district. There will also be a trip planner that helps online visitors plan their day in the district, dining, relaxing, entertaining or shopping on the Mile! On the new site will also be links to the MMID Facebook page, photography of the shops, services, and people in the district, property leasing information with a thoughtful article about the benefits of being part of the district, e-newsletter sign up, neighborhood maintenance information, and MMID safety information. The new site is also accessible via mobile devices, so readers can have information on the go and in the palm of their hand. Merchants can also sign up for the weekly Mile merchant newsletter to get up-to-date information on what’s happening in the neighborhood. A new website also means a new look! MMID has itself a new logo that captures the sunny, friendly, and fun outlook the district has on life. With a community made up of Pacific students, long-time residents, merchants, service providers, and dining, it’s a diverse neighborhood, with support and love from the city and its frequent visitors. The new logo made sure to stay true to the district’s diverse California vibe with the palm trees along with a nod to the Mile’s Stockton history, incorporating a vintage font that brings to mind days of cruising, movies at the Empire theater, and ice cream fountains on the Mile. With the new changes comes a fresh new MMID attitude of increased communication and presence in the neighborhood that grounds everyone together—the Miracle Mile. Nguyen wants the Mile to know that the MMID priorities of communicating to the community via the new website and enewsletter gives merchants another layer of information to improve their business. It also gives the community another way to be aware of the merchants. With increased communication and tools to get dialogue and information shared, a stronger merchant community can be built, attracting even more varied merchants to the area, which is a positive for the whole community. www.stocktonmiraclemile.com Miracle Mile Improvement District 2540 Pacific Avenue #3 Stockton, CA 95204 (209) 948-MILE (6453) Here’s a snippet of upcoming events in the area. To get more information on the fabulous events MMID is planning or to find opportunities about getting involved in one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in Stockton, visit the new website. August 10-18, Stockton Beer Week at participating Mile restaurants and bars September, Enhanced cross walks in the district September 11, MMID Board of Directors meeting, open to the public October 5, Celebrate Stockton is Magnificent October 31, Trick or Treat with participating Mile merchants 22 | on the M I L E

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