AUGUST 2013
ILLUSTRATION BY SHENG MOUA
| VOL. 7 | ISSUE 8
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PUBLISHER Shawn Crary EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Mitzi Stites Managing Editor Alan Naditz Feature Writer & Copy Editor Gene Beley Contributing Writer Bernadine Chapman-Cruz Contributing Writer Kim Horg Contributing Writer Francis Novero Contributing Writer Gayle Romasanta Contributing Writer CREATIVE DEPARTMENT Shawn Crary Art Director Louie Ambriz Junior Graphic Designer, Photographer & Web Development Maria Boyle Graphic Design Intern Sheng Moua Graphic Design Intern SUPPORTING STAFF Cameron Crary and Alec Fielding Circulation REGIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Noel Fielding MARKETING CONSULTANTS Rachel Castillo Memri Johnson Beth Lawrence Duane Simpfenderfer ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/PAYABLE Ernie Gallardo Office Manager
S
ummer has officially rolled in with a vengeance. As I write this month’s Publisher’s Notes, the thermometer is expected to hit 106 today, so I’ve enacted “extra-casual” work attire for this week. BMG staffers are sporting shorts, t-shirts and flip flops, looking more like we’re ready for the beach rather than meeting with clients.
Not only has the weather been heating up, so has our national political scene, with the recent court actions involving two hot topics: the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8. The day following the rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), we immediately set out on a journey to uncover any connections with San Joaquin County. Ironically, six degrees of separation is all it took…and no, Kevin Bacon is not involved. We not only found one link with San Joaquin County, we found several…and they are biggies! So rather than ruffling anyone’s feathers by using this month’s magazine as a soap box to preach my personal political views, we are going to stick to the facts. Regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on, you can appreciate the connections to our community. I invite you to sit back, fasten your seatbelt and allow our feature writer, Alan Naditz, to take you on a ride across the country all the way to the Supreme Court with this month’s cover story on page 5. Recently, we made the trek up to Northern California to visit a place that was scorching hot in volcanic activity nearly 100 years ago. Lassen Peak, situated in Lassen Volcanic National Park, let out an explosive eruption on May 22, 1915 and then continued with activity for the next two years. The area now sleeps, with vents steaming, boiling Publisher Shawn Crary springs, and bubbling mudpots. The park is truly a hidden gem, less ILLUSTRATION BY SHENG MOUA crowded than other more well-known state parks, but boasting tons of year-round activities for the whole family. From camping and lodging, wildlife observing, hiking and even educational field trips, the park offers all the amenities needed for a memorable visit or stay. A trip would not be complete without visiting Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell, two active hydrothermal areas. Check out our Beyond 209 story for a sneak peek of what awaits you and your family at Lassen Volcanic National Park. So keep cool my friends and enjoy the heat. Soon enough, the winds will change and we’ll be begging again for next year’s summer to arrive.
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The Spanos Park Monthly magazine is published once a month and direct-mailed to homes in and around the Stockton communities of Spanos Park East and West. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of copy or comments submitted to Big Monkey Group LLC., and/or Spanos Park Monthly magazine. Comments may be edited for clarity and length. ©2013 BIG MONKEY GROUP LLC spanos park monthly magazine | AUGUST 2013 | 3
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>>feature story
Justice by the Numbers Local ties to DOMA, Prop. 8 run from Washington to UOP and beyond
O
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.
I
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).
II
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 longesttenured 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.
Continued on page 6 spanos park monthly magazine | AUGUST 2013 | 5
>>feature story Continued from page 5
The “path” of the Six Degrees:
Ann and Judy Mollica MANTECA, CA
Proposition 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, Proposition 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 voterpassed 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 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.) 6 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
Sidebar
IV
End of the Line for DOMA 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 law. Here’s a quick look at some of what’s changed with the act as a result of the court’s actions:
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 same-sex unions are not legal. In addition, federal laws did not consider any such marriages legal.
San Joaquin County Clerk
Prop. 8 decision WASHINGTON, DC
UOP-McGeorge School of Law Alumni Andrew Pugno, Theodore Olson What it did: Defined “spouse” as a member of the opposite sex, and de-
fined “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, effectively 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.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, UOP-McGeorge School of Law Professor
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 samesex 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.
The flip side: Same-sex marriages are now subject to the same higher tax
rates as heterosexual married couples. Divorced same-sex couples are subject to alimony and child support laws. The same type of conflict of interest laws now apply (for example, one spouse who is doing business with the federal government cannot conduct business if they have a spouse who is a federal employee, nor can you go on strike 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 still-existing 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.
U.S. Supreme Court DOMA ruling
V
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.
Continued on page 8
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>>feature story Continued from page 7
VI
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 same-sex marriages when they tied the knot in June 2008. Not surprisingly, the couple applauded the court’s rulings. They have waiting 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.”
At Work and Play With ‘8’ While much of the spotlight for the decision on Proposition 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.
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 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 soul-searching 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 Pacific’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.”
8 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
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.
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.
“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. 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.”
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spanos park monthly magazine | AUGUST 2013 | 9
>>around spanos >>209 scene
The Spanos Park Community gets together for an evening of music and fun.
Spanos Park West Music in the Park
The Summer Concert Series continues this month. It’s a great free event for the family and the community. Bring a picnic dinner, blankets and even folding chairs. Join your neighbors for this month’s concert on Wednesday, Aug. 28 and listen to Snap Jackson & The Knock on Wood Players. Just in case you don’t want to walk over, or ride your bikes, there is ample parking at the Clubhouse and lots of room to run and play. For more information, call Landmark Limited at (209) 472-3485.
You are Cordially Invited
The Reserve at Spanos Park will have a Bridal Open House on Thursday, Aug. 29. Mingle with preferred vendors and experience what we have to offer. Enjoy tasting samples of our chef’s hors d’oeuvres and beverages and learn how your perfect wedding begins and ends at The Reserve at Spanos Park Golf Course. The event is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is complimentary. Reservations are requested, but not required. Call Emily Reynolds at (209) 477-4653 ext. 28 with questions.
Lodi Unified School District Information There is a Common Planning Day on Wednesday, Aug. 16. This is a minimum day for kindergarten through 12th grades. There will be no school on Monday, Sept. 2 to observe Labor Day. Presentation Elementary School On Thursday, Aug. 8 will be a new parent orientation at 6:30 p.m. There will be a minimum day on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The first day of extended care is Wednesday, Aug. 14. Back to School night for kindergarten through sixth grade is Thursday, Aug. 22. On Friday, Aug. 23 is a Diocesan In-Service; there is no school for students. Thursday, Aug. 29 is Back to School Night for grades seventh and eighth. There is no school on Monday, Sept. 2 to observe Labor Day. 10 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
Housing Market Sizzles in Spanos Park In June, 42 homes were for sale, 36 were pending, 28 sold and 11 expired, withdrawn or cancelled. For properties sold, the average days on the market were 39, median square footage price was $118.75, median sold price was $215,400 and median size was 2,125 square feet. Properties currently available are $185,000 to $525,000. For more important market information, call Sheree Cox, real estate broker at Bright Side Real Estate, (209) 451-2600. Current market data taken from Metrolist.
>>community briefs Reaching for the Stars
Lisa Blanco Jimenez and Nathan R. McGuire, principals at Stockton law firm Neumiller & Beardslee, have been selected to Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list as two of the top up-andcoming attorneys in California for 2013. Only 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state are named to this list of outstanding lawyers who have distinguished themselves by attaining a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The Rising Stars honor recognizes the top attorneys under 40 who have been practicing law for 10 years or less. Jimenez represents individuals, private businesses, and public agencies in the areas of labor and employment law, and civil litigation. She is also being named by San Francisco magazine as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California. Lawyer’s Lisa Blanco McGuire practices in the areas of real estate Jimenez and Nathan R. development, community association law, and McGuire are awarded construction law. This is the second year that this year’s Super Lawhe has been selected as a Super Lawyers’ Risyers’ Rising Star award. ing Star.
Swimming Dos and Don’ts As summer winds down, homeowners and their kids may still be enjoying their swimming pools. Here are a few regulations to keep in mind as they have fun in the water. Stockton Municipal Code, Section 13.28.030, prohibits the draining and refilling of any existing swimming pools between June 1 and Oct. 1 each year. June through October are our area’s driest months, and it is important to conserve water to avoid drought conditions. A moderatesized swimming pool can hold more than 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 cleanout, please call (209) 937-8700 and City staff can help.
Helping Out Four-Legged Friends Animal Friends Connection Humane Society (AFCHS)’s 11th annual Fiesta Dinner to benefit the animals is Saturday, Aug. 17, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy good food and a no-host bar in a beautiful country garden setting. Tickets must be prepurchased and will not be sold at the location of 1410 Mettler Road in Lodi. Catering by Casa Mexicana Mexican food includes cheese enchiladas, chicken flautas, chili Colorado, beans, rice, salad, chips and salsa, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. So you think you can dance? There will be a dance contest with first, second and third prizes. There’s also music, a great raffle and a silent auction. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased at the Animal Friends Connection office, 933 S. Cherokee Lane
Giants are Delta Little League Champions. Front row (L-R): Chaz Davis, Payton Rios, Jacob Thomas, Jacob Solari, Vincent Ferrer. Second row (L-R): Tyler Manos, Eric Evans, Tanner Gamma, Alex Mayorquin, Bryce Johnson, John Freeman III. Back row (L-R): Coach Keith Evans, Coach Ray Solari, Manager John Freeman Jr.
Delta Little League Major Giants are Champions On Monday, June 17, the Delta Little League Major Division Giants defeated Morada Little League, 15-5, to win the City of Stockton’s Little League Tournament of Champions (TOC). This was Delta’s 24th season and first-ever TOC championship. Payton Rios was 4-for-4 with two homers and four runs scored, and Bryce Johnson was 3-for-4 with two homers and three runs scored to pace the Giants. For the tournament, Johnson batted .688 with eight homers and 17 RBIs. The Giants broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning by scoring eighth runs on homers by Rios, Johnson, Eric Evans and John Freeman.
in Lodi, Weigum’s Lodi Nursery, 401 N. Ham Ln, in Lodi or Foot Solutions, 5759 Pacific Ave., Stone Creek Village Shopping Center, Stockton. Sponsor a table of 8 for $300. Purchase tickets by Aug. 15. Help AFCHS help the animals. For more information, call (209) 365-0535, or visit www.animalfriendsconnect.org, or www.facebook.com/animalfriendsconnection. 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. 7: Valley Concert Band. Genre: Big Band, 30-piece band. Aug. 14: Nick Isaak Band. Aug. 21: Waterloo. Genre: Northern California’s premier Abba tribute band. For more information, call (209) 478-9388.
The ultimate in recycling: families make satellites like the ones above out of everyday trash.
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
Continued on page 16
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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, St 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
www.downtownstockton.org 12 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
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
/DowntownStockton
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
/DowntownStockton
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
www.downtownstockton.org 14 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
/DowntownStockton
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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>>community briefs Zeiter Eye puts the Latest On Friday, Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. Technology in Experienced Hands Continued from page 11 to 9:30 a.m., sample food and
The only local practice offering
Precision Laser Cataract Surgery. This bladeless cataract surgical procedure offers the following benefits over traditional cataract surgery: • More precise • Quicker recovery • Better results “When sight is restored with cataract surgery, there
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 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.
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.
are not many things in life more gratifying than sharing in that celebration with our patients.” – John H. Zeiter, M.D.
CATARACT SURGERY • GLAUCOMA CARE • RETINAL SERVICES VISION EXAMS • LASIK • GLASSES & CONTACTS SKINCARE & LASER REJUVENATION • EYELID SURGERY • BOTOX / FILLERS
Joseph T. Zeiter, M.D.
John H. Zeiter, M.D.
Richard M. Wong, M.D.
John C. Canzano, M.D.
Residents enjoy a nice cold Blue Moon Beer during Stockton’s Beer Week. Harold E. Hand, M.D.
Kimberly P. Cockerham, M.D.
Joseph K. Zeiter, Jr., M.D.
PHOTO BY DANI ADAMS
On Tap in Stockton Robert E. Pedersen, O.D.
Devinder K. Grewal, O.D.
Peter V. Hetzner, O.D.
Judith A. Prima, O.D.
Linda W.T. Hsu, O.D.
Steven A. Wood, O.D.
STOCKTON LODI MANTECA TRACY SONORA
(209)-466-5566 zeitereye.com
Board Certified Ophthalmologists
Celebrating 50 Years of Providing Vision Care
16 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
Stockton Beer Week is a citywide event with the purpose of celebrating local craft beers, and Stockton bars and restaurants, and to support the growing craft and micro-brew beer industries. From Saturday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 18, Stockton area bars, pubs, and restaurants will be flowing over with beer-related events ranging from tastings and food pairings, to tap takeovers and local brewer education seminars. Come enjoy all that
Stockton’s craft beer culture has to offer. Dates to remember: • Friday Aug. 9: “Tap Takeover Happy Hour” at Stockton Ports Ballpark • Saturday Aug. 10: Beer tasting on the rooftop of French 25 in Downtown Stockton • Saturday Aug. 17: Craft Beer Garden at Taste of San Joaquin (paid admission) For more information, visit www.stocktonbeerweek.com.
>>community briefs 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 $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.
Summer Street Fair at Delta The Market at Delta College presents: “The 1st Summer Street Fair.” This fair will take place at Delta College in the L3 parking lot on Friday, Aug. 3 and Friday, Aug. 9, from noon to 8 p.m. You will enjoy live music, great food and a jumper house for the kids. There will be a Classic Car Meet from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is also a Beer and Wine Garden for those who are 21 and over. All proceeds benefit the Passport to College Program. For more information, call (209) 954-5560. One-Act Play Dinner Theatre You are invited to a “2 Day Soul Food Dinner Theatre Special” when University Plaza Waterfront Hotel
and the Black Country Players present “Black Country,” a one-act play at the Delta Bistro Restaurant at University Plaza Waterfront Hotel. Tickets are $15 per person for the show only or $25 per person for dinner (soup, salad and drinks not included) and show. The first performance is Friday, Aug. 16, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Dinner is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the show starting at 7:15 p.m. The second performance is Saturday, Aug. 17, with doors opening at 4 p.m. Dinner will be served from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the show begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (209) 470-5554.
Chorale, gives young singers an opportunity to learn the joys of singing in a fun and supportive environment. Joan Calonico, Lincoln Unified School District’s music supervisor for more than 15 years before becoming principal of Don Riggio Elementary School, is the talented and experienced conductor of the Youth Chorale. Auditions for the Stockton Youth Chorale will be held from Thursday, Aug. 22 and Thursday, Sept. 19. Please call Linda Levine, (209) 957-4054, after Aug. 1 to schedule an appointment to audition. Rehearsals for the Youth Chorale begin Thursday, Sept. 5, at Central Methodist Church. For more information, visit www.stocktonchorale.org or call Linda Levine at (209) 957-4054.
Summer Singing
Lawyer James R. Dyke is one of the newest additions to the Super Lawyers List.
Lawyers Prove They are Super James R. Dyke and Clifford W. Stevens, principals at the Stockton Law firm of Neumiller & Beardslee, have been selected to the 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers’ list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Dyke is certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust, probate and taxation law by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization. Stevens practices law in the areas of agricultural law, bankruptcy, community associations, construction law, intellectual property and information technology, litigation, municipal and public agency law, and real estate law.
Do You Love to Sing? Are you nine years old or older? The Stockton Youth Chorale, a youth program of the Stockton
On Tuesday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church (CUMC), 3700 Pacific Ave, Stockton, the Stockton Chorale will hold a “Summer Sing,” where you can come for an evening to enjoy yourself singing great music. CUMC will supply the music and the dessert. You supply the voice. Tuesday, Aug. 13, come enjoy singing Verdi’s “Requiem.” This is a beautiful work that is familiar to many people and is easy and fun to sing. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, sing Handel’s “Messiah, Parts 2 & 3.” Artistic Director and Conductor Magen Solomon will provide a little instruction and a lot of fun. You could even hum this wonderful music, it is so familiar. This is an evening of fun singing. Even if you have never sung Verdi’s “Requiem” before and have only sung Handel’s “Messiah” from the back pew at church, you will enjoy this no-pressure evening. This is not an audition. There is no commitment to come back. There is only singing, dessert, new friends and fun. The cost is only $15 and if you really had fun, you can then attend a second night for free. If you only attend one summer sing, the cost is $10. The cost helps defray the cost of music. Everyone in the community is welcome: church choir members, soloists, college and high school singers, former members of the Stockton Chorale or members of other choral groups, or those who just like to sing. For more information, call the CUMC office at (209) 466-7743.
spanos park monthly magazine | AUGUST 2013 | 17
>>beyond 209 There’s no electricity, but plenty of character at Drakesbad Guest Ranch. PHOTO BY RICK E. MARTIN All meals are included at Drakesbad Guest Ranch. PHOTO BY JOHN POIMIROO
Drakesbad – a Fun-Filled Wilderness Wonderland By Bernadine Chapman-Cruz For an unforgettable outdoor family vacation, visit Drakesbad Guest Ranch. Nestled in a remote area of Lassen Volcanic National Park, luxury camping in an oldfashioned resort setting awaits.
Nineteen overnight accommodations ranging from lodge rooms, to bungalows, and cabins with a cozy knotty pine décor are tastefully accented with rustic peeled-log furniture. Adding to the old-world ambiance, most rooms use kerosene lanterns.
Lodging includes three meals per day, per person. Cuisine worthy of a five-star restaurant is served in the Drakesbad Dining Room with breakfast prepared to order, hearty sandwiches and healthy salads for the trail, or hot lunch options served in the dining room along with an inspired dinner menu that changes daily. “Guests have rated our children’s meals as the finest anywhere,” Drakesbad spokesperson John Poimiroo said. Lunch can be preordered for day outings, and fish caught on guided fly fishing excursions can be prepared for a guest’s meal. In addition to luxury accommodations and excellent dining, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a geological wonderland waiting to be explored. “The park is on an active volcano, where hydrothermal activity is often compared to Yellowstone,” Poimiroo said. “Children love volcanos. Their eyes get big; they ask questions; and take away knowledge that lasts a lifetime.” An easy hike from the lodge takes visitors through spectacular valley areas, where Mother Nature’s handiwork provides amazing color. Vibrant green algae that can only survive in the
park’s mineral-rich thermal hot springs is one example and “the sunsets are remarkable,” Poimiroo said. Treks to boiling springs, bubbling mudpots, and thermal geysers that spurt hot water are also popular trail destinations. “You can hear steam vents hissing and smell the sulfur,” Poimiroo said. “Back at the lodge, the swimming pool is heated by natural hot springs. It’s like being in a natural spa – wonderfully relaxing at day’s end.” Nighttime activity includes campfires and star gazing. “You can see the Milky Way with its trillions of stars in an inky-black sky,” Poimiroo said. “It’s the perfect way to star watch.” Family fun is an important part of the Drakesbad experience. The children’s activity program is coordinated by John Haiger, an outdoor education naturalist, includes arts and crafts, archery, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, and more. “We have activities for guests of all ages,” Poimiroo said, “including fascinating hikes to geologic wonders, swimming and organized activities just for kids.” Horseback riding, fly fishing and massage service also available per scale. Ranch managers and hosts Val and Pat Flack take great care to make the Drakesbad experience unforgettable. A four-night stay, including all meals for two adults and two children (ages 12 and under), is $700. Each additional child in the same room is $49 per night and teenagers, 13-17 years old, are $69 per night extra. Reservations required.
Drakesbad Guest Ranch Lassen Volcanic National Park, 17 miles north of Chester at Lake Alamnor Open daily mid-June through September | Closed winter months Contact John Poimiroo @ 916.933.8860 | drakesbad@calparksco.com Facebook.com/drakesbadguestranch | www.drakesbad.com 18 | AUGUST 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine
>>411 in 209
WHO
is the “Golden One”?
This is the new golden lion tamarin, born Feb. 21 at Micke Grove Zoo. The infant and its family of tamarins can be viewed daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This lion is considered an endangered species and Micke Grove Zoo’s success in breeding these lions is helping to prevent their extinction. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children three to 17 years old. Credit cards are accepted. Micke Grove Zoo 11793 N. Micke Grove Road Lodi, CA 95240 (209) 331-2010 www.mgzoo.com
WHEN
is the second annual Stockton Pride Festival?
Set aside Saturday, Aug. 17 in Oak Grove Park to enjoy entertainment and a festive atmosphere. There will be activities for teens and tots as well as adults. This year expect a more diverse food court and beer garden. Entertainment includes transgender teen pop sensation Ryan Cassata, local award-wining band Marirose and the Gypsies, and last year’s audience favorite, Jambalaya. Early sponsors lining up to support the local LGBT community include Wells Fargo, University of the Pacific, Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chase Chevrolet, Big Monkey Group, and many others.
HOW
do you make summer dessert bowls?
Try turning your muffin pan upsidedown, bake cookie dough over the top and, voila, you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice cream. Or, you can carve out a lemon and stuff in some raspberry sorbet for a hot day delight.
For more information, contact: San Joaquin Pride Center | 109 N. Sutter St. Stockton, CA 95202 | (209) 466-7572 www.sjpridecenter.org | info@sjpridecenter.org
WHERE
do you buy lavender plants and products? Pageo Lavender Farm in Turlock has both English and French varieties! Take a picnic lunch and blanket to enjoy the park-like setting, or call ahead 24 hours and order a box lunch. Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in August. The gift shop also sells herbs such as basil and dill, and various mints, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage and parsley. This is also a perfect place for catered fundraisers, weddings, and special celebration events. Pageo Lavender Farm 11573 Golf Road | Turlock, CA 95380 | (209) 632-5052 pageofarms@gmail.com | http://pageolavenderfarm.com/index.html spanos park monthly magazine | AUGUST 2013 | 19
SPANOS PARK MONTHLY MAGAZINE Big Monkey Group LLC 94 W. Castle St. #B Stockton CA 95204
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