San Joaquin Magazine August 2020 by San Joaquin Magazine

EXPANSIVE VISION A BRIGHTER FUTURE AT UOP

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY

OUR ANNUAL PET PARADE SHOWCASING OUR READERS’ FAVORITE POOCH PICS

MAGAZINE

Best

505 MORE REASONS TO BRAG ABOUT OUR COUNTY

AUGUST 2020  $3.95

OUR FAVORITE PLACES, PEOPLE & THINGS TO DO SJMAG.COM

| AUGUST 2020 1

We’re Not the Best Cuz We’re the Oldest. We’re the Oldest Cuz We’re the Best.

Thank you for Voting Us Best Bank For over a century and a half Bank of Stockton has led the way. As the oldest chartered bank in California we have survived depressions, recessions, economic downturns and uncertainties throughout our history. As new challenges occur, you can always count on us as a source of strength and stability for your banking needs. We’ve helped generations of families and businesses through good times and tough times and are here for you. We are proud to be voted best bank by so many of our friends and neighbors. We value your trust and confidence and will always work hard to keep it.

bankofstockton.com

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Thank You For Voting Us BEST Of San Joaquin Pet Spa

Chihuahua Special Bath & Nail Trim $20

WE OFFER:

Grooming & Boarding Professional Care For Your Pets

New Customer Special 20% Off

Clean, Friendly & Safe Overnight Boarding

Grooming or Boarding

Bath, Blowout, Haircut, Trim, Nails, & Ear Cleaning

3464 Cherokee Rd. Stockton 209-280-6125 | 209clubpet.com

AUGUST 2020 SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

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THANK YOU! FOR VOTING US

BEST COSMETIC SURGEON IN SAN JOAQUIN

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

California’s largest independent practice of optometry

Winner of Best of San Joaquin for 10 Years

• In house optical lab • Contact lens specialty fits • Over 1500 frames to choose from to meet any style need • Over 80 years of combined teaching experience at the University of California Berkeley, School of Optometry • Experience in over 30,000 Lasik and PRK refractive surgery management

3133 W March Lane, Suite 2020, Stockton

(209) 951-0820 www.brooksideoptometric.com Open Evenings & Saturdays for appointments

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Our Client’s Goals Are Our Focus

Tax Planning & Preparation ■ Accounting & Auditing Services Business Consulting ■ Budgets & Forecasts ■ Business Valuation Services Litigation Support Services ■ Marital Dissolution Accounting

Professionalism. Responsiveness. Quality. Dedicated to serving the community since 1978

Thank you to our Wonderful Clients for Voting us #1 for Best Accounting Firm!

3031 W. March Ln., Ste. 300E • Stockton, CA 95219 • (209) 957-3691 • www.iacopi.com 8

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

STOCKTON’S

Preferred P H A R M A C Y

LOWER CO-PAYS ON MOST PLANS

FREE LOCAL

HOME DELIVERY!

All INSURANCES

ACCEPTED

ALL IMMUNIZATIONS

AVAILABLE

Rated 5 STARS and

Thank you for voting us #1 Best Pharmacy 2 years in a row!

CURBSIDE PICK UP Always Available!

209- 4 77-7100

ACROSS THE STREET FROM SUTTER GOULD IN THE FOOD SOURCE SHOPPING CENTER MON – FRI: 9 AM – 6 PM, SAT: 9 AM – 3 PM SUN: 10 AM – 2 PM 2339 W. HAMMER LANE, STOCKTON

* Open 7 Days A Week

hammerlanepharmacy.com

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It’s about taking care of our community – every day of the year. Congratulations to all the winners of San Joaquin Magazine’s Best of San Joaquin, including: First Place: Family Health Practice, Urgent Care Second Place: Sutter Gould Orthopedics Third Place: Best OB/Gyn – P. Adam Dodd, M.D.; Best Allergist – Jun Lu, M.D. It’s a thousand things, big and small. sutterhealth.org/sgmf 10

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Live. live, smile, Smile. laugh Laugh. At Samra Orthodontics, we truly believe our purpose is to make sure you live, smile, and laugh every single day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we just happen to straighten teeth. We use top-notch technology including digital impressions for Invisalign or Braces to help craft your perfect smile. No matter the treatment option you choose, rest assured we will always treat you with kindness, respect, and excitement. Come visit our offices in Stockton or Modesto. Visit www.LiveSmileLaugh.com to schedule an office visit or virtual appointment.

1110 W. Robinhood Dr.

1700 McHenry Avenue #16-B

Stockton, CA 95207

Modesto, CA 95350

209.478.4666 www.LiveSmileLaugh.com

Mention Mention this this ad ad forfor 15% 15% offoff treatment treatment SJMAG.COM

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PROUD TO BE VOTED

#1 BEST

LAW FIRM in 2020 At Neumiller, the health and wellbeing of our staff and clients remains our top priority. We have put into place the publicly advised safety precautions, while still working diligently to tend to our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs.

3121 W. March Lane, Suite 100 Stockton, CA 95219 209.948.8200 | www.neumiller.com 12 AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

LENDING IN YOUR COMMUNITY We’re committed to supporting the borrowing needs of the communities we serve. Here are a few examples of projects we’ve recently financed for clients.

$1.1M

$8.5M

$2.0M

Small Animal Veterinary Practice

Commercial Real Estate – Retail

Commercial Construction Loan

$350K

$500K

$1.5M

Ag Production Line of Credit

Commercial Revolving Line of Credit

Equipment Loan

Call Us About Your Next Project Today!

Cathy Ghan

Mike Petrucelli

Mike Garcia

320.7867

249.7370

343.7607

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Lending

Michael Stevens Victoria Gaffney Commercial Lending

320.7860

Commercial Lending

Jeff Hushaw

Lynette Fletcher

844.7544

844.7552

343.7601

866.844.7500 • www.ovcb.com

Commercial Lending

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Commercial Lending

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AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Thank You For Voting Health Careers Academy One of The Best Charter High Schools In San Joaquin County Health Careers Academy Students Have the Opportunity to: • College Prep Curriculum Earn certificates to start a career! • Earn college credit • HIPAA Certification • Learn from professionals in the industry • CPR/First Aid Certification • Intern & job shadow at local health care • Medical Assistant Certification facilities SJMAG.COM

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WAFFLE HOUSE

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST WAFFLE IN SAN JOAQUIN! THE BREAKFAST, BRUNCH & LUNCH SPECIALISTS q OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE

[ signature dishes ] SMOKED SALMON BENEDICT, EGGS BENEDICT, GREEK OMELET CHICKEN & WAFFLES, WAFFLE BURGER & MORE.

[ specialty drinks ] GUAVA MIMOSAS, MIMOSAS, MOJITOS BACON BLOODY MARY, MARGARITAS & MORE...

Open Daily

1540 E.16March Lane B-5, Stockton 209-951-1175 Americanwafflehouse.com AUGUST 2020 Suite | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

American Waffle House

Americawaffles

FREE PERSONAL CHECKING FROM A BANK YOU’LL LOVE • • • •

FREE Online Banking FREE Mobile Banking FREE Bill Pay FREE Person-to-Person Payments

• • • •

FREE Debit Card FREE Paperless Statements NO Minimum Balance NO Monthly Service Charge

Apply Online at www.bankbac.com/free or Visit a Branch Today!

BAC Community Bank LODI

1610 W. Kettleman Ln. | 209-367-9400

STOCKTON

517 E. Weber Ave. | 209-944-1807 2001 W. March Ln. | 209-473-6859

TRACY

951 N. Central Ave. | 209-855-8150

*Account approvals and other restrictions may apply. Please refer to our Personal Deposit Accounts Fee & Information Schedule for available free accounts, account features, limitations, and other details. $100 minimum opening deposit. This information is also available at www.bankbac.com/free or contact staff at any BAC Community Bank office.

New Location and Expanded Hours! Âˇ New Manteca Clinic

Our Manteca Clinic Opened June 8th

Âˇ Same-Day Appointments Available

Âˇ New Nurse Practitioner in Tracy Âˇ Open 5 Days a Week in Tracy

Âˇ In-Person & Telehealth Appointments

Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer is now performed in our Modesto & Livermore clinics.

Personalized, High-Quality, Ethical Care from Your Local Providers

Penny Ng, NP Manteca

Tracy

Everyone was very kind and friendly and answered all my questions. I was never nervous. And I felt very conďŹ dent when I left that I did and will receive great care in the future!!â&#x20AC;? -Drucilla E., GSD Patient

Mission Bank

Empowering Business At Mission Bank, we are honored to work with the community’s brightest business leaders and to enable their plans and dreams to reality. Our brand represents the highest quality people and service. The products and services we offer are specifically designed to provide Business Professionals with the flexibility they need to run their business.

What Sets Us Apart Direct Point of Contact - Our clients are assigned a trusted business advisor who will bring the bank to their office. We achieve this through an intentional focus on fostering strong banking relationships the old fashioned way – through hard work, diligent focus, and exceptional customer service. Experienced Bankers - Our team of experienced bankers has a special comprehensive understanding of your industry’s financing and banking needs. This one on one interaction between you and your experienced banker will help you to design and develop solutions that are unique to your specific business needs.

Mission Bank • Trusted advisor • Quick turnaround times • Expertise on business banking • Directly work with decision makers • Powerful Treasury Management services

3121 W March Lane, Suite 210 | Stockton | 209.323.6100 | missionbank.com SJMAG.COM

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As a cooperative, we have our members’ back...always. For over 65 years we have done what’s best for our valued members, incredible team of essential workers, and our community. We are proud to be the hard working folks who keep your money safe and sound so you have one less worry — during the pandemic, and in the future. So thanks for the shout out because we’re not here for the award, we’re here for you! Founded by 11 county employees looking to help people — we were created to do great things for you. Being driven by our values is in our DNA.

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Thank You for voting Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics

BEST CHILDREN’S DENTIST 7 years in a row!

At Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics, we’re fanatical about creating a lifetime of happy smiles. That’s why we’re a practice for kids. We’ve set up a different kind of dental practice that delivers fun, not fear. So your kids get stress-free dental visits—and beautiful, giggly smiles.

ay! Schedule Tod

209.729.0214

S TO C K TO N / LO D I / T R A C Y / M A N T EC A

Our services: preventive Care dental X-rays cleanings braces and invisalign treatment SJMAG.COM

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Contents Features

AUGUST 2020

41 EXPANSIVE VISION

76 BEST OF!

The votes have been tallied and the winners are in! We’ve got our annual list of the best of the best—best businesses, best service providers, best restaurants, wine, and more. Flip through our massive feature and start making lists of the next places you want to visit, whether it’s for a good meal or a new haircut. Our winners—gold, silver, and bronze—are chosen by our community of readers, so you know the results are going to be good. BY SUZANNE LEDBETTER, FAITH LEWIS, AND NORA HESTON TARTE

41 Best 76

58 PET PARADE

San Joaquin County has some of the cutest pooches in town—and we’re putting readers’ pets on display for everyone to enjoy. Flip through our Pet Parade feature to see plenty of dogs, some cats, and other animals San Joaquinians are keeping as pets. You’ll even find some shots of ours truly, pooches to cows, our team has them all. Plus, in between the photos there are helpful resources and tidbits for pet parents from name trends to the best toys for your four-legged friends.

143 PEKING INTO THE PAST

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

143

EXPERIENCE WINNING

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

BEST CASINO

800-822-WINN â&#x20AC;¢ JACKSONCASINO.COM 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642

Management reserves all rights. Problem Gambling? 800-GAMBLER SJMAG.COM

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Contents

AUGUST 2020

152

THE 209 44 WHIP IT GOOD

Find whipped honey at the farmer’s market and beyond

46 CBD & YOUR PET

CBD oil may be good for what ails your dog, too

48 BEYOND PLASTIC

Try out these earth-friendly alternatives

50 RIDE IN STYLE

A route for every type of rider

54 SAVING FACE

We know where to get chic new masks

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

152 IN THE KITCHEN WITH JOHN IN EVERY ISSUE SURLA The Fina chef talks San Joaquin County and his 26 PUBLISHER’S LETTER favorite foods 160 DINING GUIDE 154 THE ART OF SOUS VIDE

BEAT THE BLUE LIGHT BLUES Blue light blocking glasses could save your eyes WHAT’S LURKING IN YOUR GARDEN? Ditch the backyard pests

136

Cook protein like the pros

140

156 PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON

WINE DINE 209

IN SEASON: CANTALOUPE 158

LACE YOUR GARDEN WITH BUTTERFLY MAGNETS to attract these beautiful bugs to your backyard

SOMMELIER SERIES 146

Acquiesce Winery is calling on the experts

150 SIP KIT

Let YouTube be your guide for this to-go wine tasting

LEMONADE DAY Where should you go to grab ice cold lemonade?

Prosciutto wrapped, tiki cantaloupe coconut cocktail, and a simple summer salad

TIDBITS 160 Banana split, cherry limeade, and white sangria

BREW CULTURE - WINE DINE 209 - SENIOR SECTION

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

IS YOUR

SMILE READY

Summer FOR

You can trust US TO:

路 Provide a dental home for your entire family 路 Help you get healthy and feel your best 路 Work within your budget 路 Utilize the best and latest technology in a clean, welcoming environment Most insurance accepted. Monthly payment plans, no interest financing.

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from the publisher

The Best of the Best Our long-awaited annual best of list is here! We’re gushing

READ OUR

FREE

DIGITAL EDITION

@ SJMAG.com EXPANSIVE VISION A BRIGHTER FUTURE AT UOP

AUG

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY

OUR ANNUAL PET PARADE SHOWCASING OUR READERS’ FAVORITE POOCH PICS

over the food and wine, play places and wedding venues, shopping boutiques and outdoor spaces, and everything else celebrated in this yearly masterpiece, celebrating its 17th year as San Joaquin County’s go-to guide for recommendations and new ideas. Every year we tally thousands of votes from readers and other San Joaquinians passionate about everything local. What we end up with is a list of more than 500 “best” businesses, food dishes, wines, cocktails, and more, made right here in this county. With the input of locals from Tracy to Lodi, Ripon to Stockton, our best of list reads as an itinerary for your next year. And it’s a list you can count on, with even more clout than Yelp reviews and Google searches because the recommendations come from your neighbors instead of strangers. In addition to our Best Of feature, August also marks our annual pet issue. Those who know me know that my pets, which include two Great Danes, a horse, a cow, and a bull, are part of the family, so celebrating our reader’s pets every August brings me nothing but joy. Inside we have a lineup of YOUR pets, too. Flip through the pet parade and see which four-legged friends made the magazine as our newest models. If you sent in a photo, you just may see your own pooch on our pages, or if you look carefully you can also find a few of mine. We also have some stories primed for pet owners. From how to properly use CBD on your pets to the importance of getting Fido groomed, this magazine exists to serve the pet population and the people they call family.

MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2020 BEST OF SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE / PETS ON PARADE

Best

5MORE 05

Happy reading!

REASONS TO BRAG ABOUT OUR COUNTY

AUGUST 2020  $3.95 SJMAG.COM

OUR FAVORITE PLACES, PEOPLE & THINGS TO DO SJMAG.COM

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TONY ZOCCOLI

tony@sanjoaquinmagazine.com

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

LAST THOUGHTS WELCOME HOME August is also the month our annual home magazine hits the stands. If you haven’t already, pick up an issue. You can find locations at SanJoaquinMagazine.com/find-acopy (but call ahead to confirm). Throughout the mag we have tons of tips on how to give your home a refresh, plus local resources to help you get it done.

BACKYARD TREATMENT We’ve packed a LOT into August. This issue also features our Abode section, a small collection of home-centric stories for readers. In summer, we’re all about the backyard. This month you can learn about what’s lurking in your garden and how to rid your outdoor spaces of pests, as well as other unsightly issues like rust and mold. You don’t want to ditch all insects though. In fact, by planting the right florals, you can create your own butterfly garden, beckoning these beautiful winged creatures to make a home in your backyard.

Another dental visit? Turns out, you have better things to do with your time.

Actual Client

Spend your time where you want to be... Short on time? No problem. Technology today is changing our everyday lives. Many people, however, aren’t aware that technology is also impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Cutting-edge innovations in dental instruments are requiring less time in the dental chair. Trips to the dentist are becoming less and less fearful, thanks to high-technology in dentistry. Our office is making these visits even easier and more convenient with technology that repairs damaged teeth in one appointment. We are pleased to offer our patients CEREC restoration services—a superior method of creating precisely designed, color-matched and highly durable ceramic restorations. From simple fillings to full crowns to veneers, CEREC delivers the results you need in one appointment.

Get back to whatever it is you’d rather be doing.

Ronald S. Noriesta, D.D.S. NEW LOCATION 4512 Feather River Dr., Ste. B Stockton, CA 95219

209.472.7500 | AUGUST 2020 27

SJMAG.COM

oneappointment.com

How do we feel about winning every year weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been open?

We feel grateful Thank You!

@salonpomp

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

#pompsalon

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AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

VOTED BEST BLOODY MARY

VOTED BEST APPETIZERS (TIED)

HOURS

Come NOSH on NOSH at NOSH Wednesday - Thursday 11am - 9pm Friday - Saturday 11am -11pm Sunday 10am - 6pm

FOOD, BEER & COCKTAILS TO-GO

(209) 224-8157 10 W. Oak St. Lodi Ca 95240 @westoaknosh

West Oak Nosh

Partners Real Estate, Inc. | CalBre: 00479461

L O C A L . R E S P O N S I V E .T R U S T E D . Your Local Commercial

(Office, Industrial and Retail) Sales and Leasing Team

SUZANNE GRANDE 209.644.7220

Suzanne@partnersreinc.com Lic. 01080467

LORIE DIAZ-LIDDICOAT 209.915.9913

Loriediazliddicoat@gmail.com Lic. 01952818

PA R T N E R S C O M M E R C I A L R E . C O M COVERING ALL OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SJMAG.COM

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SMALL BUSINESS MICRO LOAN $3,000 - $35,000

Committed to supporting our local businesses.

Located within Stockton city limits For-profit enterprise Ability to repay debt Existing and start-up businesses

STOREFRONT BEAUTIFICATION MICRO GRANT UP TO $2,000

instagram.com/StocktonEDD

Located within targeted areas Funds for minor storefront improvements: Windows, signs, paint, awnings, lighting, and planters

COMMERCIAL EMERGENCY GRANT

twitter.com/StocktonEDD

UP TO $7,500

Available to businesses and commercial property owners Funds to alleviate code violations Must demonstrate financial need

facebook.com/CityofStockton linkedin.com/company/City-ofStockton

STOCKED FULL OF PRODUCE GRANT UP TO $10,000

www.advantagestockton.com

Available to corner / convenience stores Located within food deserts Funds for the sale and storage of healthy food options

Mosquito Prevention is Everyone’s Responsibility West Nile Virus is active in San Joaquin County

Meet our Doctors...

Free Initial Consultation Now Accepting New Patients! Same Day Appointments Available Walk-Ins Welcome Now Open 6 Days a Week OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Three Locations to Serve You! Dr. Joseph Russell (Left)

DUMP and DRAIN standing water.

Specializing in Accident Rehabilitation, Gentle Thorough Corrections Using the Latest Equipment. Life West Graduate

TIP and TOSS outdoor containers.

Dr. Timothy Coykendall (center)

Wear EPA registered insect repellents to prevent mosquito bites.

Qualified Medical Examiner, Certified Pediatric Chiropractic Practitioner Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Dr. Johannes Garrido (Right)

REPORT daytime biting mosquitoes.

Nutritional Certification Auto Rehabilitation Sport Based Focus

Call the DISTRICT to request service or mosquitofish. 209.982.4675 or 1.800.300.4675 www.sjmosquito.org SJmosquitoandvector

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Specializing in:

Prenatal & Pediatric Care • Family Care • Rehabilitation Personal Injury • Sports Injury • Auto Injury Rehabilitation OFFICES IN TRACY, MANTECA, AND MOUNTAIN HOUSE:

Tracy (209)832-9221

• Mountain House (209) 836-3597 • Manteca (209) 825-5610 www.tracychiro.com • Se Habla Español

Most Insurances Accepted, Affordable Cash Plans Available

When choosing hospice care When choosing hospice care

Choose Choose

• Hospice Care • Hospice Care • Hospice House • Hospice House • Grief Support • Grief Support • Pediatric Care • Pediatric Care • Pacific Palliative Care • Pacific Palliative Care • Admissions 7 Days • Admissions 7 Days a Week a Week • 24-Hour Crisis Care • 24-Hour Crisis Care

Thank you for Voting us #1 Hospice/ Palliative Care!

We’re the We’re one withthe the one with the Butterfly! Butterfly!

3888 Pacific Ave. • Stockton CA 209-957-3888 • hospicesj.org 3888 Pacific Ave. • Stockton CA 209-957-3888 • hospicesj.org PINE STREET PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

APTA Orthopedic PT Residency

AOTA OT Hand Fellowship

We are a therapist owned multi-disciplinary outpatient clinic committed to providing excellent patient care at our 5 clinics in Manteca, Stockton & Lodi. 2019

Thank you for voting us one of the best!

www.pinestreetpt.com I Est. 2002 SJMAG.COM

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AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Thank You For Voting Us Best Flooring Shop!

HAVE THE SHOWROOM BROUGHT TO YOUR FRONT DOOR! Schedule an In-Home Estimate & receive a $50 store credit.* *In-Home Estimates require a $25 deposit to receive a $50 store credit.

Lodi, CA â&#x20AC;¢ (209) 730-6606 SJMAG.COM

| AUGUST 2020 35

The Law Offices of

LAWRENCE KNAPP 250 Dorris Place • Stockton, 95204

209-645-1011 • www.LmkLaw.net

PUBLISHER | EDITOR Tony Zoccoli

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR:

Nora Heston Tarte FOOD & WINE EDITOR: Suzanne Ledbetter TRAVEL EDITOR: Nora Heston Tarte REGULAR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Deirdre Carlson, Faith Lewis, Megan Meintasis Lindsey Rodrian, Angela Rudolph CREATIVE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Sybil Watson ASSOCIATE DESIGNER: Lucas Zoccoli CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

JUSTICE IS LOCAL.

Lawrence M. Knapp

YOUR LAWYER SHOULD BE TOO.

Established in 1993, we have been representing San Joaquin Valley community members and their families for more than 20 years in catastrophic injury cases. Our offices are in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, not Los Angeles or San Francisco. We are well versed in the local rules and have a deep knowledge of the arbitrators, judges and court system. This unique knowledge and ability to navigate the local system has produced more successful results for our clients. We intend to maintain our status as the leading personal injury firm in the Central Vally by extending our service capabilities and our local presence to meet our client’s needs.

Dan Hood, Ponnie Jackson, Tim Ulmer MARKETING

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Neelam Patel ADVERTISING

Michelle Cox CIRCULATION

DISTRIBUTION Rebecca Ristrim

SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE PUBLICATION FAMILY

READ, FLIP, SHARE & ENJOY OUR PUBLICATIONS ON YOUR

MOBILE Device!

SALES OFFICE SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE

SJMAG.com

318 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240 Phone: (209) 833-9989

ALWAYS PRINTED IN THE USA

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Keeping your family comfortable for 14 years!

HEATING • A/C • PLUMBING • ELECTRICAL • REFRIGERATION

209.931.2100 THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS WHO VOTED US #1 CALL FOR MORE DETAILS PlasmaPure 600 produces positive and negative ions to improve your indoor air quality. It eliminates mold, bacteria and viruses such as covid19 h1n1 flu and more. Thank You For Voting Us Best Of San Joaquin Ten Years In A Row!

209.931.2100

Se Habla Espańol

lovottiinc.com | Lic. #865459

SJMAG.COM

| AUGUST 2020 37

Let their smiles shine like never before.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribing to San Joaquin Magazine ensures that every month you will receive our latest edition right in your mail box. Although we distribute copies to hundreds of area pickup locations, our publication is in high demand and locations often run out quickly. 12 ISSUES FOR ONLY $9.95 (12 ISSUES), OR $14.95 (24 ISSUES)

Subscriptions available through our website at SJMAG.COM, so you don’t miss another issue!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Story ideas, manuscripts, or comments can be emailed directly to the managing editor. Please include your name, daytime phone number, and email address. E-mail NORA@SJMAG.COM

WRITER’S GUIDELINES San Joaquin Magazine is always on the lookout for story ideas and talented freelance writers. To suggest a story idea, email us at NORA@SJMAG.COM. San Joaquin Magazine also accepts freelance contributions, however, there is no guarantee that manuscripts or photography, solicited or unsolicited, will be returned.

ADVERTISING San Joaquin Magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach area residents throughout the county. We offer multiple opportunities to achieve the results your business desires. With over 16 years of magazine publishing experience and multiple publications to choose from, it’s no wonder residents continuously look to our family of publications. Visit the ADVERTISE link on our website or call 209.833.9989 to request a printed media kit.

SPONSORSHIP San Joaquin Magazine prides itself in actively supporting organizations that make the city a better place to live and work. If you wish to partner with us and would like more information, please contact TONY ZOCCOLI, PUBLISHER TONY@SJMAG.COM

MAGAZINE

available anytime, anywhere. SJMAG.com Digital Edition 38

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

ADVERTISING / EDITORIAL OFFICES SALES OFFICE SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE 318 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240 Phone: (209) 833-9989

LLC

Fun Times and Sunshine!

The Pools are Full, So Come Dip Your Paws! Thank you for voting us Best of San Joaquin!

Want to try daycare? Call us to book your FREE assessment day! 209.334.1316 | sycamorelanekennels.com | alldogssportspark.com | 39 SJMAG.COM

AUGUST 2020

Where the Good Life is YOUR Life.

.. .. .. ..

Top-Ranked Schools Acres of Parks 11 Lakes Farmers Market Boating Lakeside Restaurant Sports Fields San Joaquin River Trail

At River Islands, you can live your best life.

Explore 12 new home neighborhoods, 38 furnished models and everything else life here has to offer.

SOMERSTON PRWY

RIVER ISLANDS I-5 LA

SID

LATHROP

STE

WA RT

I-5

S OS

1-205

All neighborhood oﬀerings, amenities and features are subject to change without notice. Map not to scale. Prices eﬀective as of deadline of publication.

RIVER ISLANDS

Visit our Welcome Center Open daily 10 am – 5 pm 1401 River Islands Parkway (at the corner of Somerston and River Islands Parkway) (209) 808-5168 Directions: Take Hwy 99 North and merge onto Hwy 120 West. Merge onto I-5 North, take the Louise Avenue exit left and follow River Islands Parkway to models.

Text RIMOBILE to 797979 for direct links to download our free App with directions to the Welcome Center and all the model home neighborhoods!

RiverIslands.com

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

EXPANSIVE VISION UOP LOOKS FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE UNDER GUIDANCE OF A NEW PRESIDENT  BY FAITH LEWIS / D

DAN HOOD

the

209

University of the Pacific is looking toward its future as Christopher Callahan takes the helm as the University’s President. With a background in multimedia journalism and more than 25 years of academic leadership and management experience, Chris hopes to help boost UOP into the digital world and earn it the recognition he believes it deserves. Chris himself is a first-generation college graduate, earning first his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University’s College of Communication and then his master’s in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. >> After nearly a decade working as a correspondent SJMAG.COM

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upfront school that I think today is not as well-known as it should be. I’m not talking about the future – we’re going to take this university from very good to great – but even right now, does it have the prominence that it should? I don’t think it does.” Which begs the question, how exactly do you bolster the reach of the university’s reputation? Chris believes that you start by bridging

what I can do is help promote and stimulate and lead conversations among our faculty, among our students, among our alumni who can then generate cool new ideas and then my job is to help them execute them.” And he feels his collaborative and communicationbased leadership style is particularly well-suited to accomplishing this goal. He admits, however, that

At Pacific, the idea of innovation is really embedded in our DNA -Christopher Callahan

and editor for publications such as The Associated Press and the American Journalism Review, he discovered a passion for higher education. Coming from his role as the founding Dean and Professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Chris is eager to embark upon a new adventure at University of the Pacific. “I looked at this adventure – and I do see it as an adventure – as what are we going to do together,” he says. “How are we going to take this really, really good university and make it even better?” Chris says he was first drawn in by the history of innovation at UOP, pointing to the fact that not only is it the oldest university in the state, but also the first co-ed university in California and the first music conservatory west of the Mississippi. “At Pacific, the idea of innovation is really embedded in our DNA,” he

says. “That was a huge attribute that got me really excited.” He was also drawn to the unique structure of UOP with three campuses that, between them, exemplify the strengths of both a small, close-knit liberal arts school and a large, comprehensive university. In his experience, “it is very rare to have both of those elements combined into one university.” He sees these strengths as the key to future success at the university, which he believes hasn’t received the large-scale recognition it deserves. It’s a matter of drawing attention to an already great system of education. “Quite frankly, I would take this problem over the opposite,” he says. “The opposite problem is having a mediocre school that is pretty wellknown and then you have to make the school better. That’s really hard. What we have is a really, really good

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the gap between how quickly the digital world moves and how slow higher education typically is to adapt. “One of the first things we’re doing… is a brand-new digital presence,” Chris explains. “A whole new website that is focused on mobile devices, focused on young people. It’s very interactive and to me that’s step one.” Moving forward, Chris hopes to shepherd in new ideas and support the evolution from idea to reality. “I’m not the expert on Pacific,” he says. “Hopefully

his priorities right now are very different from what he had imagined when he first accepted the position. “One of the things I have heard over and over from our students, parents, faculty, staff, from everybody is they want to be back on campus,” he says. “So, my short-term goals have changed fairly dramatically in COVID world, which is just working with the rest of this really strong team to make sure we’re going to be able to do that – and we are going to be able to do that.”

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locals to know “I had always wanted to own my business and when this idea came along I decided to put my time and energy into it and see what I could make of it.” -- Ashley Parham

WHIP IT GOOD

LOCALLY SOURCED WHIPPED HONEY  BY NORA HESTON TARTE / D DAN HOOD Sometimes great ideas find us. For Ashley Parham, that was the case with her business The Beekeeper’s Honey, which she started in 2017. The story goes a

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life and hold its creamy little like this: Ashley was consistency,” she says. working at a local fruit Ashley sources her honey stand when a customer from Stockton by working asked if they sold whipped with local beekeepers. honey. Never having heard Using local honey gives her of the product, Ashley product a lot of additional said no. Then the same benefits for those living thing happened again. As in San Joaquin County. customers continually asked That’s because honey is for whipped honey, Ashley full of natural enzymes and got curious and did some antioxidants that have been research. “I… looked into shown to boost immunity. natural ways I could flavor it When you consume local to make it unique,” Ashley honey, it can also help says. “I then started to make reduce seasonal allergies, test batches until I found the which is one of the reasons recipe I am using today.” keeping her products close So what is whipped to home is important to honey? Well, it’s honey, but Ashley. with a different consistency. In addition to the “Whipped honey is a whipped honey, Ashley more enhanced version of also sells raw bee pollen, ordinary honey. It has a another product thought to smooth, creamy consistency reduce allergies while also making it easier to spread offering other vitamins and with less mess,” Ashley nutrients to consumers. says. She recommends Ashley sells both products using it on pancakes and at the Lodi Farmer’s waffles or toast or even Market as well as in nearby mixing it into your coffee— wineries like Delicato the opportunities are endless. Family Wines in Manteca, To make the product mom and pop stores such even more versatile, Ashley as Cheese Central in Lodi, experiments with different fruit stands, and small flavors. In addition to grocery stores like The original, customers can Fruit Bowl in Stockton. buy cinnamon, blackberry, “We are still small but lemon, and strawberry, all look forward to growing flavored with over the years real fruit. “The and finding new benefits of TASTE FOR YOURSELF: opportunities,” whipped honey TheBeekeepersHoney.co Ashley says. @thebeekeepershoney is that it has an indefinite shelf

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CBD & YOUR PET CBD OIL CAN HELP ROVER, TOO  BY NORA HESTON TARTE effects during long-term use. Again, research is limited and studies are sparse, but evidence now to treat health problems that run the suggests CBD oil doesn’t offer any side effects gamut, but did you know the cannabinoid for pets. has also been linked to benefits for your pet? Lastly, dogs who suffer glaucoma, which Whether you’re the parent of an anxious pup or is most common in small breeds, may also your little dog is suffering from glaucoma, petbenefit. It’s the pain-relieving properties that versions of CBD oil could offer some relief. makes CBD a good treatment option, as well as CBD, like in humans, can be used to treat potentially reducing intraocular pressure. several ailments in dogs (as well as some Carter’s Pet Mart sells brands that boast other pets). Pet owners, for example, may see several upsides in one bottle including noticeable calming effects of the oil in their lessening joint pain, boosting appetite, overly anxious pups. So if your dog terrorizes reducing anxiety, relieving pain, and managing the house when you’re not home or goes on seizures, which means you don’t have to barking sprees during thunderstorms, a little buy multiple oils to treat oil may help calm their nerves. different issues. Another link? CBD oil could also calm pet allergies. Believe it or not, our pets can suffer from seasonal allergies and food sensitivities just like us, caused by an overactive immune system. CBD oil is one way to lessen reactions, such as itchy skin or dermatitis. CBD is also known for reducing pain. For our senior pups, CBD oil can reduce the pain associated with CARTER’S PET MART arthritis or even disease like cancer. Locations in Stockton, More typical treatments include Manteca, and Modesto putting dogs on low doses of pain CartersPetMart.com medication to keep arthritic pain at bay, but those pills come with side

Humans have been using CBD for a while

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

WHY IT’S SAFE While research is limited, there are several positives associated with CBD oil and pets. For one, it’s natural. Secondly, many medications prescribed to pets offer a slew of negative side effects that CBD doesn’t have. Third, the substance is easy to get, available online as well as at many pet stores. And if you’re worried about getting your dog high, remember that CBD is not THC. CBD, a different part of the plant, doesn’t offer any psychoactive properties for humans or dogs.

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environment COZY IN COTTON

SHOPPING SAVVY

BEYOND PLASTIC

California lawmakers have done their best to nudge consumers in the right direction by banning single use plastic bags at stores, but when you find yourself in the produce aisle, you might notice that you’re still reaching for a plastic bag for your tomatoes. Instead, try to keep a few smaller cloth bags in the car for your fruits and veggies.

Next time you look at those care instructions on your new blouse, take a second to read the materials, too. Synthetic clothes are made of microplastic fibers that new studies have found are making their way from the washing machine to our waterways and even into our food chain as animals drink contaminated water. Try to choose clothes made of natural materials like cotton.

HOW TO TAKE SMALL STEPS TOWARD BIG CHANGE IN OUR DAILY LIVES  BY FAITH LEWIS It’s hard to escape plastic in today’s day and age. The petroleum oil byproduct permeates nearly every facet of daily life, from the kitchen stocked with water bottles and food storage bags to the closet hung with synthetic clothing. While states like California are slowly trying to legislate the plastic away, it continues to fill our landfills and pollute our oceans. But even with the best of intentions, it can be overwhelming to overhaul your lifestyle and ditch the plastic. Here are some plastic alternatives that you can use on the daily. We promise you won’t miss the plastic. In fact, you might even like these better.

WRAP IT UP

PACK A LUNCH

BOTTOMS UP Your search to minimizing plastic might turn up some surprising sources: metal cans, for example, are actually lined with plastic to keep them from corroding or contaminating the food or beverage. Ditch the can and opt for a refillable glass growler from one of the county’s great breweries, such as the 64 oz. growler offered at Lodi’s Five Window Beer Co.

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Sometimes it’s just a matter of rethinking what types of materials we reach for. Stainless steel food storage containers are easy to rinse and prep for the next day, making them a plastic saver that won’t waste your time. Opt for disposable wooden utensils over plastic and pack a thermos, rather than a water bottle.

We always hated cling wrap anyway. Instead, try beeswaxcoated cloth for food storage and reuse them up to six months. When you’re done, you can rest assured that these cloths are completely compostable. Throw them in the compost or bury them in the backyard!

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trending

RIDE in STYLE BIKING IS THE BEST WAY TO SEE LODI  BY NORA HESTON TARTE Lodi is a cycler’s dream. Not only is the city overflowing with gorgeous vineyard views and easy trail rides, there is an entire community working behind the scenes to encourage safe rides as a sustainable alternative in San Joaquin County. Between Bike Lodi’s initiatives, which include aesthetically pleasing bike racks placed throughout the city and free bike valet opportunities—and the natural beauty that abounds, Lodi is easily one of the most cycle-able cities around. If you’re looking to get into the scene, check out some of our favorite rides below.

FOR THE FAMILY

FOR THE WINE LOVER

FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

FOR THE BIRD WATCHER

This is the perfect trail ride for a family of all-ages. The five-mile round trip offers views of both Lodi Lake and the Mokelumne River, with an option to stop at the World of Wonders science museum on your way. This trek takes you off the main stretch to country roads, starting downtown before speeding out to Lodi Lake Beach by way of North Mills Avenue.

If you’re even a casual rider, this 24-mile stretch will be a piece of cake, and perhaps its best feature is that it offers stops at wineries throughout Lodi, Acampo, and Woodbridge. It’s other best feature? It’s an easy-to-navigate figure eight. Pick a starting point anywhere on the map and follow the landmarks, with optional stops at several wineries including Woodbridge Winery, Robert Mondavi, LangeTwins Winery, St. Jorge Winery, or Fields Family Winery. This ride will take you 24.4 miles total along country roads, with a very slight elevation gain of 82 feet.

If you’re an avid cyclist, a history buff, or both, you’ll love this exciting 53-mile journey that stretches from the Delta to Sacramento. As you ride through Old California, bikers can enjoy the historic points of interest from the transcontinental railroad termination point to the intersecting rivers. Once you’ve hit the end, grab an AmTrak back to Lodi. Expert Tip: check train times and capacity limits before departure.

This 29.4-mile ride is good any time of year, but if you wait for Sandhill Crane migration in late October, it’s even more spectacular to experience. Schedule your ride to arrive at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve at either sunrise or sunset to make the most of your trip. In between, consider a quick wine tasting at Oak Farm Vineyards (it’s on the route).

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To learn more, VisitLodi.com or BikeLodi.com

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Creekside Center is a skilled nursing facility located in Stockton, CA. Our center has an attractive warm atmosphere in a neighborhood setting. Patients and family can stroll the beautiful courtyards and sit in the lounge by the fire. At Creekside Center, we offer select menus and snacks in dining rooms with a garden setting. The facility offers in-house therapy 7 days a week in our Rehab Recovery Suites. All care is patient-centered and promotes independence The goal is to return our patients to good health and spirit.

Joseph Colcol (Administrator)

Thank you for Voting us one of the best in Skilled Nursing!

Rebecca Alfonso

(Director of Business Development)

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Kenneth Lim

(Director of Nursing)

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LEGENDARY COFFEE & BOOKS

445 W. Weber Ave., Stockton (209) 395-3780 Facebook.com/ LegendaryCoffeeBooks

Rise & GRIND

STOCKTON NATIVE OPENS COFFEE SHOP-BOOK STORE COMBO  BY NORA HESTON TARTE / D Gwen Overton has three passions: books, coffee, and people. So when we tell you she opened Legendary Coffee & Books on the Stockton waterfront in 2019, it makes sense. With a passion for community and brewing a really good cuppa joe, Gwen is seeing her business-owning dreams finally come true at the combination bookstore and coffee shop with an emphasis on supporting locals. “I started a coffee club at my previous job. Members of this small group of coffee lovers would pay monthly dues and, in turn, receive unlimited premium and freshly brewed [coffee]each morning,” Gwen says. “My colleagues would tell me how excellent my brewing skills were.” She promised them one day she was going to become a barista and open her own coffee shop. When a space opened up on the waterfront, the Stockton native couldn’t turn down the opportunity to own her dream business in her hometown. At LCB, Gwen serves local brew—beans from the Sacramento-based Temple Coffee Roasters—and pastries from Teri Does Dessert, VB Shortbread Cookies, and M & W Dutch American Bakery. She’s also working to better support local authors in her shop, offering shelf space for San Joaquin writers (and beyond) looking for local exposure.

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DAN HOOD

Mostly, however, her space is a place that encourages friends to gather over a hot cup of coffee (a favorite past time of her own), in a cozy space with East Coast-style décor, plush seating, and bites to fuel the conversation. At the same time guests can browse books and journals. Gwen even rents out the space to small groups—book club, anyone? Gwen, who previously worked as a youth program organizer, hasn’t given up her desire to serve Stockton’s youth, either. “As my business grows and becomes more successful, I desire to create more jobs for our youth and young adults by providing them with the skills to become business owners themselves,” Gwen says. She wants to grow her business not just for her own suc-

cess but so she can become a place Stockton can depend on for job creation, internships, entrepreneurial and business training, as well as a gathering space open to all. Gwen admits she faced some setbacks due to COVID-19. After opening in December 2019, her shop shuttered its doors just months later. Although the experience seemed devastating at the time, Gwen decided to take it as a positive. Instead of sitting around stressing, she took the time to change a few processes and procedures that could better catapult her toward victory. “This struggle has also taught me that whatever you go through, if you believe and keep a positive mindset, you can get through anything, even unexpected pandemic,” she says.

Thank You for Voting Caresco Homes #1 Homebuilder of San Joaquin!

he Cove at Westlake is an upcoming, new home community by Caresco Homes. At The Cove, you will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of living close to the Delta waterways, boasting scenic bike trails and parks, excellent shopping and a variety of recreational facilities close to home. Choose from five distinctive home plans, which offer the fine craftsmanship, amenities and value Caresco is known for. • • • • • •

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trending

Saving FACE THE MOST UNEXPECTED FASHION TREND OF 2020  BY NORA HESTON TARTE / D DAN HOOD

ABOVE MASK: FASHION SAFARI BELOW MASKS: BETTER BODY MASKS

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I don’t think any of us could have predicted that face masks would become the hottest fashion accessory of 2020. With mask-wearing mandates across the state, and even over state lines, it’s become clear that we will be wearing these cloth coverings for the foreseeable future in order to keep ourselves and others healthy from the spread of COVID-19. And local makers took the opportunity to start creating fun, patterned masks for the masses so we aren’t all wearing dull, disposable surgical masks or N95 masks day in and day out. Instead we can get a cute, washable face piece to wear out and about, and we can even have different ones to match our outfits. In addition to turning to Etsy and Amazon, we can also get these masks locally. Better Body Masks is sold out of Sheryl Giles Bridal Couture in Lodi by a group of women creating fun masks for adults and kids. The 100 percent cotton masks come in multiple sizes, fit securely, and fea-

ture a filter pocket for added protection. Adult masks are $15 and kid masks are $10. You can contact Better Body Masks through Facebook to purchase or stop into Sheryl Giles when it is open, Tuesday through Saturday. This is also the go-to spot for plain black masks for those who need a professional look at work. POMP Salon is also selling cute masks to keep you stylish, which is perfect if you don’t have one as you’re heading into your hair appointment, since wearing one is required in the salon. Keep in mind, wearing the type of mask with ear fasteners is important when you’re stepping in for salon services like a cut and/or color. Fashion Safari is so chic they’ve got masks selling out. Check the store for cute cloth and polyester masks with bright colors and daring designs, like the one above. Sold in a two-pack for $15, the masks can be purchased both in store and online. As an added bonus, many of the store's masks are made in the USA.

Stockton Dental Care

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Caressa W. Louie D.D.S.

Our practice is devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty and function of your teeth. Preventative Care . Crowns & Bridges Periodontal Treatment . Fillings . Oral Surgery Cosmetic Dentistry & Smile Design . Dentures Partials . Root Canals . Invisalign Dental Implants & Mouth Reconstruction

We offer affordable payment plans, senior discounts.We welcome new & emergency patients. Most Insurances Accepted.

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trending

BEAT THE

Blue Light Blues THE REAL-LIFE FILTER THAT CAN HELP EYE HEALTH  BY FAITH LEWIS Tired eyes? Chances are your screens could be to blame and opting for glasses with blue light blocking lenses might be the solution you’ve been looking for. For millennium, the only source of blue light (a short wavelength, high energy light wave) was the sun, naturally limited to daylight hours. Now, with so many people working on computers for eight or more hours a day and then coming home to spend the evening scrolling on their phone, people are absorbing more blue light than ever before – which some experts believe fatigues

the eyes and disrupts the natural sleep cycle. “It’s a short wavelength, high energy light that tends to scatter more, so the more you look at it, the more it can be hard to focus through,” explains Dr. Krishna Patel of Zeiter Eye Medical Group. “Usually our cornea and the anterior structure of the eye can block out certain wavelengths of light, but that blue light tends to go all the way back to the retina.” The first problem with blue light is that it can strain the eyes. Because there are more of these short waves reaching the inner eye, the eyes are hav-

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ing to work harder to sort through those in order to focus. The blue light blocking lenses help to block these light waves from reaching the eye, alleviating that extra work. “Natural blue light helps suppress our body’s melatonin, so it keeps us more alert and aware during the day,” Dr. Patel says. Which is where the second problem comes in: sleep disruption. If digital devices are sending out the same type of light that tells our bodies to stay awake and alert and it becomes normal to use phones or tablets right before going to bed, it is inevitably going to make it harder to fall asleep. “So, with the blue light blocking lens it can help with regulating that rhythm if you’re doing screen time right before bed,” Dr. Patel says, adding that with the relatively recent rise of screens in our daily lives, studies are ongoing at this point. If you need a pair, there’s good news. Because the blue light blocking filter is applied to the exterior of the lenses themselves to tint them and help filter out those shorter wavelengths, it can be applied to any lenses in new or current frames.

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pet parade

! E L I M S

PET PARADE Our readers show 58 AUGUST 2020off | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM their furry friends 58 58

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pet parade

MUST-HAVE

TOYS

WOBBLE WAG GIGGLE BALL SQUEAKY DOG TOY As Seen on TV came

out with this beast of a ball, perfect for dogs. Without using batteries, small tubes inside the toy create giggle sounds dogs will react to, plus six different grips make it easy for dogs of all sizes to pick it up and play. Chewy.com

SPOT PLUSH DOG TOYS These cuddly

pals are perfect for bedtime and playtime for pets. Choose from cuddly squish and squeak stuffies like a grey, fluffy sloth or a spotted leopard. The shapes of these dog toys make them easy—and fun—to play with. Carter’s Pet Mart

BLUE SCOOBY SNACKS Based on

the loveable cartoon character we’ve all come to love, these crunchy dog treats are baked with bacon, egg, and cheese, with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Plus, they’re free of poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, and soy. Carter’s Pet Mart

HIDE & SEEK PLUSH CHEWY BOX PUZZLE DOG TOY Test your pup’s IQ with this plush puzzle. Dogs of all sizes will enjoy putting the toys into their Chewy-themed box exactly where they fit—and playing with the toys outside of the box. Comes with the plush box and three toys. Chewy.com

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PETS BY THE

NUMBERS

75%

OF U.S HOUSEHOLDS OWN A PET

63.4

MILLION HOUSEHOLDS HAVE A DOG

$75.38

BILLION SPENT ON PETS IN THE U.S. IN 2019

95%

OF AMERICANS CONSIDER THEIR PETS PART OF THE FAMILY

139.3

MILLION FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISH WERE OWNED BY AMERICANS IN 2017

45%

OF AMERICANS BUY THEIR PETS BIRTHDAY PRESENTS

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CAREFREE

KISSES

We're all guilty of smooching our pooches, even if those kisses are a little wet. But are canine kisses healthy? The likelihood of passing an illness from dog to human is pretty rare, and it's not something pet owners should worry themselves over. For the most carefree kisses though, take precautions. You can lower the risk of disease transmission even more by keeping your pet healthy. Veterinarians recommend doggie check-ups for pets every six months to keep them healthy. By keeping your pup healthy, you’re also protecting your family from rare illnesses they could pass along. It’s also important to keep your pup up to date on vaccinations. These vaccines keep your furry friend healthy, but they are also used to protect humans from disease, as well. Without these

checkups, you may not know if your pet is suffering from a rare or common illness such as heart worms or a parasitic disease. It’s also important to keep your dog’s mouth clean. We’ve all heard that canine chompers are actually cleaner than human mouths, but that doesn’t change the fact that a lot of bacteria lives in their mouths—and we don’t always know where they are putting their tongues. To keep mouths fresh, brush your dog’s teeth with doggie toothpaste and a toothbrush (seriously!) or feed them treats like Greenies on the regular to keep bad breath and harmful bacteria at bay. If your pet starts acting different, get them an appointment at the vet. Changes in mood, behavior, and appetite are often our best indication that something isn’t quite right.

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TOP DOG

TRENDING NAMES

FOOD-THEMED Got a new pup you don’t know how to name? Let these trending monikers guide the way. In 2019, food names became popular for our four-legged friends, with PEPPER taking the number one spot. Other favorites are staples like OREO, BISCUIT, KONA, and PEANUT. But 2019 also saw an uptick in food-related names that weren’t popular before such as GINGER and KALE, reflecting food trends that are taking off right now.

ALCOHOL THEMED Other name inspo comes from owner’s favorite alcoholic drinks. Don’t tell us you’ve never met a dog named GUINNESS or BUD (for BUDWEISER). I bet you’ve even met a JAMESON or two. In wine country, wine names like ROSÉ make even more sense—why not consider a favorite varietal for your pet such as SYRAH, CHAMPAGNE, MERLOT, or CHARDONNAY?

MOST POPULAR

In 2019 the most popular female dog names included BELLA, LUNA, and LUCY while gentleman pups were getting the names MAX, CHARLIE, and COOPER.

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HAIR TODAY GONE TOMORROW Getting your furry friend groomed does more than keep them looking fly. Dogs who are groomed are often healthier, and their owners may be healthier, too. The first big question is how often your dog needs a professional grooming. The answer is, it depends on the breed, according to Alicia Kahler, owner at Sycamore Lane Kennels. Many short-hair breeds can go without if you feel comfortable both bathing them and cutting their nails. In fact, some short-hair breeds can’t be bathed too often cause it can cause skin irritation. Long-haired dogs, however, are a different story. These dogs—breeds likes Yorkies and Maltese—need a professional grooming about every four to six

weeks, according to Alicia. This keeps their coat looking good and unmatted. During a grooming for any dog, professional groomers check their skin thoroughly. This alerts them to any bumps, sores, fleas, etc. In a lot of ways a professional grooming can act as a check-up for dogs. Owners with allergies either to doggie dander or outside elements may also find that getting their dogs groomed keeps their own symptoms at bay. “Any dog that’s out in the yard… can bring in pollen and so forth on their coat,” Alicia says. Grooming often will also keep your home clean. “If you keep your pet [groomed] and he’s in your house, it keeps the fur down in your house, the mess down in your house,” Alicia says.

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MORE REASONS TO BRAG ABOUT OUR COUNTY & OUR FAVORITE PLACES, PEOPLE, & THINGS TO DO 76

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AT SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE, WE SPEND MONTHS LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ANNUAL BEST OF ISSUE. THIS YEAR, WE'RE CELEBRATING WITH NEW CATEGORIES THROUGHOUT, AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE WHO OUR READERS HAVE VOTED AS THEIR TOP PICKS IN EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO HEALTHCARE. WE’RE ALSO GIDDY TO SHARE WITH YOU NEW WINNERS AND UNTAPPED LOCAL GEMS, HELPING SAN JOAQUINIANS CREATE THEIR ITINERARY FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR, FILLED WITH NEW FAVORITES AS WELL AS OUR BEST OF MAINSTAYS. ••• BEHOLD, THE 2020 WINNERS OF BEST OF SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS. WE’VE GOT ANSWERS.

HOW DOES SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE PICK THE BEST OF WINNERS?

From February to April 30 we collected our readers’ votes for more than 500 Best Of categories ranging from food to services, shopping to weddings. More than 4,000 local residents shared their knowledge of our community to help us come up with a list of the best of the best. Whoever got the most votes is highlighted in the category, with up to four winners per list (in case of a tie).

DO ADVERTISERS AUTOMATICALLY WIN?

Nope! Let's put this rumor to rest. A simple look through our pages proves this isn't true. We love our advertisers, but the Best Of list showcases the hot spots our readers chose as favorites—not the places our staff picks. And we can guarantee no special treatment is given to our advertisers in these sections. The only way to earn a spot on our best of list is to be the best, get the word out, and get the votes—you can’t buy your way in.

HOW DO I TELL YOU ABOUT MY BUSINESS!

Anyway you can! The best way to let our team know about the cool stuff you are doing in San Joaquin County is to email our editorial staff at editorial@sjmag.com. More than 96,323 readers turn to San Joaquin Magazine each month, which means the information we give is devoured by a lot of locals. If you tell us what you’re up to, we just may send a staffer out to visit. If we like it, you can land a spot in our magazine. Exploring fun local stuff and new trends is our favorite part of our job. We are always looking to share the coolest things in San Joaquin County with our audience, and you can help us do that by just spreading the word!

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BEST OF THE BEST

FOOD & RESTAURANTS

BEST BBQ BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT

When it comes to good oldfashion American cuisine, San Joaquin County chefs know what they’re doing. Market Tavern in Lincoln Center is the gold-medal winner for its scrumptious fare while Midgley’s Public House takes home silver for its imaginative dishes created by Chef Michael Midgley. Porter’s Pub on School Street ties for third for its elevated pub grub while newcomer Brick House Restaurant and Lounge is making its mark.

Best Appetizers Quality appetizers are an important part of the dining experience. Get your fill at Midgley’s Pubic House with prime rib sliders and ahi nachos that won’t leave much room for the main course. At Market Tavern, charcuterie is always a good choice, as are furikake fries and deviled eggs. A collection of fried foods and goodies like calzones round out the apps menu at Brick House Restaurant and Lounge. Tied for third, the hearty noshes at West Oak Nosh give us Germany goodness in the form of nosh fries, Bavarian pretzels, sausage poppers, and more.

Dig in to the county’s best BBQ dishes. At Fat City Brew & BBQ, award-winning California-style BBQ is served up alongside ice cold brews. Tin Roof BBQ & Catering is a family-owned Lodi joint specializing in smoked meats and homemade sides. At Shorter’s BBQ in Tracy, fish, prawns, and BBQ sandwiches dominate the menu.

Best

BAKERY

If you have a hankering for something sweet, these local bakeries have got you covered. In addition to overthe-top custom cakes, Fizz Bakery also serves a counter case full of delicious desserts ranging from cookies to brownies, cheesecake to fruit tarts with new surprises constantly popping up. M & W Dutch American Bakery is another favorite, serving up pastries, breads, and sandwiches in addition to its sweet treats. The mother-daughter team behind Corner Scone Bakery bakes its fresh treats daily, offering lunch specials in addition to pastries and desserts.

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BEST

BAR FOOD

Best Buffalo Wings Steve Smith is used to coming in first. The former-NFL player who owns Smitty’s Wings & Things is the gold-medal winner of this category. Keep it simple at Lord of the Wings, a family-owned eatery, where quality is the key to success. Fire Wings, with locations in Lodi and Manteca, boasts 21 different flavors to satisfy customers.

Bar food makes a dish sound primitive, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you’re in search of good grub to go with your drinks, this is the perfect category for you. It’s no surprise that readers are going gaga over Midgley’s Public House’s menu, stacked with hearty full plates including burgers and a lineup of appetizing sliders. At Porter’s Pub, the casual fare includes several kinds of fries and other easy bites to nosh on while you drink. AVE on the Mile has always been a late night destination, and it’s not just tots and fries on the menu. The upscale bar food here is so far elevated it’s barely even bar food.

BEST

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so don’t skimp. Chuck’s Hamburgers is a local’s favorite offering huge portions to satisfy your appetite. Avenue Grille holds the best breakfast title from multiple places for its combination of breakfast staples and specials. Denis’ Country Kitchen has been serving the community its creative menu of breakfast combinations for more than 20 years, and it’s still a favorite.

Let’s be clear: breakfast and brunch are not made equal. The expansive menu at Market Tavern has a killer breakfast pizza on it that pairs well with a mimosa or bloody mary, plus goodies for the kids. When The Dancing Fox is in full swing, the brunch experience is one everyone should have. Settle at an outdoor table in downtown Lodi and shovel mounds of fluffy French toast oozing with syrup into your mouth. In Stockton, Cast Iron Trading Co. serves us breakfast tachos and avocado toast. Tied in third place, Bud’s Seafood Grille mixes our favorite ocean cuisine with our favorite weekend meal.

BEST CHEF

BEST BURGER

When a place has good food, you have to give compliments to the chef. After all, these are the geniuses responsible for your dinner. Celebrity-chef Michael Midgley brought his reality TV roots to Stockton, creating delicious grub to please the masses at Midgley’s Public House. At Brookside Country Club, Chris Isert is the one behind the scenes crafting meals for members, golfers, brides, grooms, and guests. John Surla of Fina in Ripon blends his professional training with his homegrown roots, crediting his mom for much of his cooking skill and passion.

CLASSIC

This is a category we love! If you’re looking for the best no-frills burger, order up a classic from Bob’s at the Marina in Stockton where the view is almost as good as the grub. Flip’s Burgers also turns out classic patties that are cooked to perfection. At Squeeze Burger & Brew, these tasty traditional treats are just the tip of the iceberg.

BEST BURGER

SPECIALTY

If the simple meat-cheese-bun isn’t your style then this list is for you! Grab something a little extra from Market Tavern including the ‘Impossible’ Burger, an animal-free vegan burger that doesn’t skimp on taste. Midgley’s Public House is home to the San Joaquin Magazine burger and other towering options like the new Aloha Burger made with spam and pineapple. Squeeze Burger in Tracy is known for one thing—it’s cheese skirt—but the rest of its burgers are just as divine.

BEST

Best CAJUN Casual RESTAURANT Dining When you want good food without the fuss, these are the restaurants you should be flocking to. Garlic Brothers proffers excellent views of the Delta, and though the atmosphere is laid back the food is kickedup, including fried raviolis, grilled prawns, and other specialties. Prime Table is a posh eatery in Lincoln Center offering high-end steak cuts without requiring you to dress up. El Rancho Inn – Steak & Lobster House says it right in the name—this seafood and steak restaurant is worth a visit. Tied for third place, The Kitchen at Stonebrier offers eclectic fare in an easy atmosphere.

Cajun cuisine originated in New Orleans but that hasn’t stopped it from migrating to SJC. For the best Cajun grub this side of the Mississippi, or at least this side of Sacramento, readers dine at The Cajun Spot in Manteca. Blazin Cajun in Stockton is a seafood restaurant with a little spice! Grab a bite before heading to the theater next door. If you’re looking to turn up the heat, dine at The Crab Zone where the always-fresh, neverfrozen seafood can get pretty hot (but there are non-spicy options, too!)

Best

Caterer

If you need to serve a party full of people delicious food, a caterer is often the best choice. Angelina’s Spaghetti House is no stranger to this list. Here, big pasta dishes and signature raviolis are the specialty, but there are plenty of other dining option, too. For a casual affair, Fagundes Meats & Catering serves chops and BBQ to events of any size. The specialty at De Parsia's Restaurant & Catering is Italian fare, served for business lunches, Christmas parties, and more.

BEST CHINESE

RESTAURANT

Dave Wong’s Restaurant does it again—taking home the gold for the best local Chinese food and securing its spot as a Stockton mainstay. Next Up, Yen Du takes home the silver again, as well, for its combination of Szechuan, Peking, and Hunan cuisine. Peking comes in third. The Mandarin restaurant has been in Stockton since 1979, and its menu has stayed mostly the same during that time even though as the restaurant itself has undergone renovations.

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BEST OF THE BEST

FOOD & RESTAURANTS BEST CLAM CHOWDER

This warm, comforting soup is a menu staple at restaurants across the world, mixing a creamy broth with fresh seafood. It’s no surprise that Bud’s Seafood Grille makes the best one in the county—after all, seafood is the specialty here. Midgley’s Public House comes in second with its classic rendition of the crowd favorite. Seafood Express makes a homemade clam chowder soup for lunch or an early dinner, served in a sourdough bread bowl.

Best Deli

A deli serves multiple purposes. Not only can customers grab pounds of meat and cheese from the shop, they are also a good lunch stop, especially for those who enjoy a yummy sandwich. We’ll be honest, this list didn’t experience a shake-up. SJC residents are still certain that Gian’s Delicatessen is the

BEST CHEESE PLATE / CHARCUTERIE BOARD

The cool thing about a charcuterie board is that each one is different from the next. And they aren’t all created equal. Praised for its selection of meats, Market Tavern boasts a platter finished with pickled vegetables that diners can’t get enough of. Mile Wine Company knows that a proper charcuterie board is a necessity with a bottle of wine. At Cheese Central shoppers can make their own board using a large selection of goodies available in the shop, and even consult the experts while in store.

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cream of the crop, with a long list of specialty sandwiches no one seems to be able to get enough of. Podesto’s Market offers more of a New York-style environment and sandwiches. In third, Genova Bakery boasts a menu full of goodies to devour, but it’s that bread that has made the Stockton market so popular.

Best Dessert

We all have that second stomach. You know, the one that once you’re full still has room saved just for dessert. With monthly specialty flavors, there’s always nothing new at Nothing Bundt Cakes (plus the signature flavors we’ve come to adore). House of Ice Cream scores top marks for creativity where the crazy shakes seem to offer a never-ending supply of dessert inspo primed for our Instagram page. Dream Ice Cream Parlor is more than an ice cream shop. Here, guests drool over specialties like the Dream Bun (a scoop of ice cream between a sliced glazed donut) made with specialty flavors you won’t find just anywhere.

BEST

FARMER’S MARKET

We love strolling through rows of tents filled with the county’s best offerings from produce to specialty goods, especially on a warm day. Lodi’s Farmer’s Market is the certified favorite. Usually held downtown, the event is operating a bit differently this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Downtown Tracy Farmer’s Market is the best place to buy fresh fruits and veggies from nearby farmer’s. The Downtown Stockton Certified Farmer’s Market is another crowd pleaser, scheduled for every Saturday under the Crosstown Bridge.

BEST

FILIPINO RESTAURANT

For specialties like lumpia, adobo, and sisig, you have to go to an authentic Filipino restaurant. The proof is in the name for Best Lumpia, which SJM readers seem to agree really is the best of the best. Papa Urb’s Grill offers both authentic dishes and Filipino fusion food. Island Gourmet Restaurant & Market does more than sell fresh Filipino food, patrons can also buy their own ingredients including fresh produce.

BEST FINE DINING

For those special occasions and fun nights out, fine dining ups the ante on a regular evening. At Prime Table in Lincoln Center, guests can dine on ribeye, filet mignon, king salmon, and more. Midgley’s Public House, also in Lincoln Center, offers some of the same high-end steak cuts as well as rack of lamb, sweet chili salmon, and scallop risotto. The third eatery on our list is also a Lincoln Center staple. At Papapavlo’s, the ambiance compliments the menu rich in gourmet steaks and Mediterranean dishes.

Best

FOOD TRUCK

Sometimes fast food is the best food, but we’re not talking your typical drivethru. These gourmet food trucks have impressive followings. At Port City Burgers the focus is on quality patties and creative concoctions such as a meat-heavy The Barnyard. A Moveable Feast serves up a varied menu of sandwiches, steak, salad, and seafood. If chicken and seafood sound appetizing to you, we have one piece of advice—Chase the Smell. This Stockton food truck’s grub is cooked to order. Can’t find the truck? Utilize social media to track them down!

BEST ICE CREAM/ FROZEN YOGURT

We’re not exactly short on ice cream shops in San Joaquin County, so take it seriously when someone comes up with a short list of the best offerings. Tigers Yogurt has old-school soft serve in modern and classic flavors that you can mix and match in an assortment of ways. Honey Treat Yogurt Shoppe has 30 years of experience behind its Lodi shop, which also offers smoothies, milk shakes, ice cream sundaes, root beer floats, air fried twinkies, coffee, and more, At Segale’s Double Dip Gallery you can get your dessert with a side of art. Browse the works while tasting the best flavors from Gunther’s.

Best

Happy Hour

Say cheers! Looking for good drinks and discounted food? Midgley’s Public House is home of the best happy hour around, with 50 percent off select menu items (including some alcohol). At West Oak Nosh you can celebrate the happiest hour of the day with German fare and craft cocktails. In downtown Tracy at Bistro 135, guests can gather for after-work cocktails and shareable plates. Call ahead for hours.

Best Italian

BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE

Stop hunting down health foods in your regular grocery store. These specialty retailers are focused on foods free of yucky, unnatural ingredients. Artesian Health Food in Lincoln Center stocks its shop with a little of everything, and if you ever want to know what’s cool in store, check out the company’s Instagram. Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center sells everything you need to get your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Pick up incense, sage, essential oils, and more at Green’s Nutrition and ask about professional consults while you’re there.

Restaurant

When you’re craving deep bowls of seemingly endless pasta and buttery, flaky bread, you know it’s time to order Italian. Pietro’s Trattoria offers a little of everything, including traditional spaghetti, meaty lasagna, and mushroom gnocchi. Angelina’s Spaghetti House serves a delectable asparagus ravioli made with local produce as well as seafood alfredo and flavorful garlic bread. Rounding out our list, DeVega Brothers offers both gourmet pasta dishes and build-your-own bowls where you mix and match noodles, sauces, and protein.

BEST

INDIAN

RESTAURANT

When you’re craving good Indian cuisine, turn to Tandoori Nites where the butter chicken may be the best you’ve ever taste and the interior is inviting for small gatherings over good food. The tantalizing smells wafting out of Swagat Indian Cuisine are enough to beckon any hungry soul inside with its aromatic herbs and spices and fragrant garlic naan. Dhaba Indian Cuisine is Tracy’s go-to spot for Indian fare. Here, the portions are big and the sauces delectable enough to douse your whole meal in.

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BEST OF THE BEST

FOOD & RESTAURANTS Best

Best

Best Pizza

JAPANESE Ramen RESTAURANT

Komachi Sushi is anything but bland. This Japanese restaurant draws crowds to its Lodi shop which serves a large menu of sushi rolls, comforting soups, hearty cooked meats, seafood salads, and more. Mikasa Japanese Bistro is one of three authentic Asian eateries owned by Harry Yu, who brings authentic recipes overseas. Cocoro Japanese Bistro & Sushi is one of the best rated restaurants in Stockton offering some seriously inventive Japanese cuisine.

This Japanese noodle dish is taking the world by storm, and right here in Stockton we have three recommended places to get your fix. Yujin Ramen & Noodle Bar by Harry Yu serves steaming hot bowls of homemade ramen using a perfected cooking process to feed University students and other hungry guests. TOKYO Ramen has a long list of ramen specialties including spicy seafood ramen and vegetable ramen. Misaki Sushi serves more than raw rolls at its Stockton eatery. The ramen here is one of the biggest draws for customers.

Restaurant

BEST MEXICAN

RESTAURANT

The Mexican food in San Joaquin County might be second only to Mexico itself. Readers cast their votes and Octavio’s came out on top. With many ways to enjoy the cuisine—from the patio to the banquet room—fresh tortillas are one of Octavio’s claims to fame (and guests can watch them being made from scratch at the tortilla station). El Pazcifico Mexican Grill & Cantina is the perfect spot to grab a bite in downtown Lodi, with a quaint little patio perfect for munching on quesadillas and burritos from the menu. Tied for third place, Nena’s Mexican and Don Luis Mexican Restaurant both offer authentic dishes that will make your taste buds do the mariachi.

BEST SANDWICHES

While you’re shopping at Podesto’s Market, don’t forget to grab lunch. The Lincoln Center staple is known for its gourmet sandwiches. The Bolognini family is behind the Northern Italian cuisine at Gian’s Delicatessen, which includes a wide array of signature sandwiches with Italian flair. Genova Bakery has long been celebrated for its perfectly-baked bread, but the sandwiches don’t play second fiddle to anything. Craft a custom sammy from the old world Italian deli’s list of ingredients—you won’t be disappointed!

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The votes are in! David’s Pizza is taking home the gold for its New York-style pizzas, which include specialty flavors like the Da Vinci. Michael’s New York Style Pizza came in second, celebrated for its creative cuisine including Greek Pizza, Pesto Combo, and Chicken Gourmet. At Dante’s California Style Pizza and Café the pizzeria pays tribute to the best geographical areas in the state with pies appropriately named Tahoe Style, The Gilroy, and The San Franciscan.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

San Joaquin County has been exploding with new restaurants left and right. With constant new places to try, our taste buds are loving the variety. If you haven’t made it to these new eateries yet (opened in 2019 or later) we recommend hitting them up in this order. Brick House Restaurant & Lounge welcomed its new location in Lodi in 2019 after the Elk Grove spot proved to be successful. Lord of the Wings is the newest wing joint to hit Stockton and it’s already getting recognition amongst other local mainstays. Tied for third, German Guys serves up its authentic German grub alongside a beer garden while Tasty Pot shows Stockton how to do hot pot Taiwanese cuisine right.

BEST OUTDOOR/ PATIO DINING

We’ve always loved grabbing a seat outside when the weather is nice, but al fresca dining is more important than ever right now. Garlic Brothers in Stockton is revered for its view overlooking the water. At Pietro’s Trattoria, the charming outdoor space offers the ideal ambiance for an intimate affair. Midgley’s Public House gifts outdoor diners the gift of Lincoln Center as its view from the restaurant’s outdoor space.

BEST PHO SOUP

First off, it’s pronounces fuh. And if you don’t know, now you know. Mama’s Pho & Sandwiches is the mom and pop shop dreams are made of—turning out the region’s best pho soup in a hole-in-the-wall establishment. Another favorite for the cozy comfort food is Saigon Bay, where pho is just one of many Vietnamese specialties the restaurant is known for. A clever play on words, at Pho Lucky Noodle House you’ll be so lucky to get your hands on a bowl of their steaming soup with one of the best broth recipes around.

Best Steak /PRIME RIB

BEST SUSHI

When it comes to nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls, choosing one place to be “the best” is no easy task. Mikasa Japanese Bistro came out on top this year. The menu in its entirety is delightful but we’re partial to the SJM roll. In Lodi, Komachi Sushi keeps customers coming back, and there is often a line out the door to get a table in the coveted eatery. Also in Lodi, M Sushi Bistro serves impressive nigiri and sashimi plates to share as well as hand and specialty rolls.

When you’re ready to treat yourself, a steak dinner should do the trick. But getting that perfectly cooked cut isn’t always easy. For those who enjoy an evening in Lincoln Center, Prime Table is just the place to order up quality beef. El Rancho Inn – Steak & Lobster House prides itself on using the highest-quality ingredients, which extends to their steak selection, too! Also in Lincoln Center, Midgley’s Public House serves a menu filled with main courses that will make any meat lover smile.

BEST SALAD

Whirlow’s Tossed & Grilled puts the power in your hands, allowing customers to make custom salads using an overflowing salad bar of ingredients. At The Downtowner, good mood food means eating healthy, and the location is perfect for Stockton workers looking for a lunch break nearby. Salad may not be the first food that comes to mind when you think of Bud’s Seafood Grille but you can’t go wrong with the Louie Salad featuring shrimp and succulent crab or the Tomato Shrimp Salad is finished with bay shrimp.

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BEST OF THE BEST

FOOD & RESTAURANTS

Best Thai

Best

Cuisine

TACOS

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

If you’re looking for a fresh catch in San Joaquin County, stop into Bud’s Seafood Grille. The clear winner of this category uses fresh-caught seafood throughout its menu, turning out soups, salads, appetizers, and mains to satisfy your craving. Ray’s Chicken & Fish Mart sells seafood and chicken to hungry customers to take home and fry up themselves, or for a $1 charge, the staff will prepare it for you. Don’t forget to try the gumbo! Seafood Express is known for its lunch specials as well as its clam chowder. Come in Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM-2 PM to sample the ocean-centric fare.

What more do we need in life than a really good taco? This food category often sparks debates but we’re here to settle the score— or at least we’re going to try. Casa Flores, located in Brookside, is famous for many of its taco options but the fish tacos are one of customer’s favorites. Tacos Chapala does tacos right. With ten kinds of meat to choose from, including tongue and tripes, load those handmade tortillas up! The portions are big but the prices aren’t. Don Luis’ Mexican Restaurant offers taco lunch specials and a crispy taco dinner as well as combination plates so you can get your taco fix anyway you want it.

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BEST WAFFLES

When it comes to breakfast, sometimes sweet wins out over savory. The waffles at American Waffle House offer something for everyone with complex flavors like the s’mores waffle or fruity pebbles variation. For a hearty breakfast dish, the chicken and waffles doesn’t disappoint. Disco’s Waffle on a Stick serves its waffles, well, on a stick. Choose from flavors like red velvet, apple cinnamon, bacon, and pizza. Or, get your chicken and waffles in an easy-to-consume fashion—marinated chicken breast stuffed inside a waffle and served on a stick. Cast Iron Trading Co. doesn’t always do waffles, but when they do, the restaurant does it right. Stop in for Sunday brunch to experience Big Bri’s Chicken & Waffles, served with buttermilk chicken and candied nuts.

Pad Thai, Thai fried rice— whatever you’re craving, Siamese Street Thai Restaurant has got you covered. Stop in for some of the most delicious and complex flavors in the Thai food space including pineapple fried rice and pumpkin curry. On Stockton’s Miracle Mile, Thai Me Up serves quality tapas loaded with Thai flavors from garlic curry chicken to fried pork belly and spring rolls. You can satisfy every Thai craving at Thai Spices in Lodi thanks to its varied menu, which offers soups, salads, curries, noodle and rice dishes, and more. The ingredients are native to Thailand for the best, most authentic flavors.

FILET & LOBSTER

RIB EYE

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! NEW LOCATION! NEW ATMOSPHERE! SAME GREAT SERVICE!

COME EXPERIENCE OUR NEW SPACE IN PERSHING PLAZA IN STOCKTON!

Thank you for voting us in the Best of San Joaquin 2020 for Best Chicken Wings! We are beyond thankful to everyone that voted for us! Now come out and see why we are the best! BEST BUFFALO WINGS

4 YEARS IN A ROW!

209 - 227 - 7479

SMITTYSWINGS ANDTHINGS 5654 N. PERSHING AVE STOCKTON

Thank You for voting us Best in Fine Dining!

Extended Outdoor Dining available! THE PLACE FOR STEAKS

209-477-6133 • 501 N. Lincoln Center www.papapavlos.com • papapavlos@sbcglobal.net

San Joaquin Magazine’s award winning restaurant for 5 years in a row

“Come as a customer, leave as our family!” A personalized, Japanese dining experience catered to your taste buds. Choose fresh, exquisite dishes both on and off our menu.

Best Japanese

307 S. Lower Sacramento RD. Suite D, Lodi, CA 95242 209-334-3131 www.sushikomachi.com

Best Sushi

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BEST OF THE BEST

DRINKS

Best Brewery

Check out Five Window Beer Co. for an assortment of locally brewed beer in their downtown Lodi establishment where you can enjoy a wood-fired pizza, charcuterie platter, and cold brew on the outdoor patio. Or, step into Lodi Beer Co. for beers on tap, tasty pub food, and a room full of locals. At High Water Brewing on Lodi’s industrial side of town, you can sample a beer flight, order off their full menu, or take a six-pack home for safe keeping.

BEST

The craft beer scene in San Joaquin county is heating up. Sample fare and beer at Lodi Beer Co. with friends or hit up the patio to knock back a cold one. Just down the street at Five Window Beer Co., order one of the seasonal ales and challenge your friend to a competitive game of cornhole. If you are in Stockton, check out Taps Barrel House on Pacific for their rotating selection of 28 locally brewed beers on tap.

Is there anything better than a good Bloody Mary on a Sunday funday? Head on over to Market Tavern where the queen of cocktails whips up a world class Bloody Mary for all the senses. At West Oak Nosh, their Bloody Mary is served alongside a killer brunch of avocado toast each weekend. Or you can head to AVE on the Mile where you can guzzle down a Bloody in the sleek lounge while enjoying small plates.

CRAFT BEER PUB

BLOODY MARY

BEST CRAFT COCKTAIL

If you are looking for cocktails with seasonal flare, Market Tavern is where it’s at. Beautiful libations ranging from tiki drinks to modern takes on classic cocktails, are served up daily. Just across the way is Lincoln Center’s Midgley’s Public House where you can enjoy a serious drink after a long day of work. The Public Punch is just one of their signature sippers. In downtown Lodi, Rosewood Bar and Grill is known for turning out tasty cocktails and a normally raucous bar scene.

BEST

TEA ROOM

Have you ever been to a tea tasting? At The Hidden Tea Room in Lodi guests are treated to High Tea complete with crumbly scones and an assortment of local jams. Take in some tea at the Blossom Tea Room for a wide variety of flavors like Earl Grey, White Peony, and Green Pomegranate. They also offer a Royal Tea, paired with scones, fruit, soups, and more. For something

different, be sure to try T4, Tea for U, where you can sip on Taiwanese tea and quality Boba teas. They have a wide variety of refreshing drinks to keep you cool on a hot summer day.

BEST MARGARITA

When you are craving tacos and margaritas head on over to Octavio’s for a refreshing margarita made with tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar. It’s simple, satisfying, and out of this world tasty. On the mile in Stockton, hit up La Palma for seasonal margaritas made from a selection of over 50 imported tequilas. But if you are in Lodi, step into El Pazcifico Mexican Grill and Cantina for an oversized strawberry margarita that will make you think you are sitting on the beach in Mexico.

BEST

Best Juice Smoothie Bar

One of our favorite ways to start our mornings is with a fresh, in season smoothie. Check out Nekter Juice Bar in Lincoln Center for a nutritious Berry Banana Burst or Turmeric Sunrise. At Dynamic Nutrition in Tracy, opt for something special like the Red velvet cheesecake smoothie. The Healthy Spot is a great spot to pick up a protein smoothie alongside energy boosting teas. Choose from a huge list of sweet and savory flavors for mood boosting good food.

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SPARKLING WINE

BEST LOCAL Coffee Spot

Who doesn’t love supporting our local coffee shops? At Empresso Coffeehouse loyal fans sip on quality coffees like Caramella Frappes and Chai Lattes while getting in some work on the laptop. In Lodi, House of Coffees is the local shop to get caffeinated. Their Funky Monkey is to die for and they treat every customer like family. Barista’s in Tracy gets customers going each morning with a jolt of caffeine and a list of blended drinks that is a mile long!

Best Wine Menu

If you are in the mood for wine, these spots should be at the top of your list. At Mile Wine Company, there is a little something for everyone. With over 30 wines by the glass and seasonal small plates, Mile Wine Co. is the spot for wine lovers. At well-known Michael David Winery, the extensive brand boasts a multitude of labels and varieties for the pickiest wine drinker. From estate grown wines to Freakshow and a ton of others, the winery won’t disappoint. Market Tavern also prides itself on having an extensive wine list loaded with some seriously good juice. Woodbridge Uncorked is home to many of Lodi’s boutique producers. The charming wine bar and tap room is the perfect spot to explore the wines offered in the Lodi region.

A glass of bubbly is the perfect start to any celebration. So why not pick up the OG sparkling of Lodi’s wine country at Weibel Winery in downtown Lodi? Choose from a classic sparkling, almond, mango, or opt for a flight of all three. At Delicato Family Wines, choose a Blanc de Blanc, extra dry, or almond flavored sparkler. And in the small town of Lockeford, Erik Donaldson of LVVR Sparkling Cellars, is racking up accolades for his award-winning sparkling wines made in a variety of styles.

BEST WINE CLUB

The best kind of club you could ever be a part of—a wine club! Michael David Winery has an awesome wine club where you can get major discounts on wine purchases and you get to feel like part of the family. At Oak Farm Vineyards, the wine club is seriously fun. Attend one of the pick-up parties complete with themed dinners and fun perks. And at Harney Lane Winery, being part of the Wine30 club means you get to eat, drink, and play with the folks behind the wines.

BEST Zinfandel

Lodi Wine Country is known for its big and bold Zinfandels as the Zin Capital of the world. Michael David Winery has been pumping out Zinfandel since the beginning and the Freakshow Zinfandel is

one of the coolest labels on the market. At Harney Lane Winery, the Zinfandel options are worth every penny. You can choose from Home Ranch, Lizzy James, or Scottsdale Zinfandels. Step back in time when visiting the charming tasting room at Macchia. With dozens of Zinfandels to choose from, you can find one that suits your palate.

BEST WINE TASTING ROOM

When you are heading out to Lodi Wine Country for some wine tasting, Oak Farm Vineyards is the first stop for any wine lover. Their expansive tasting room is an architectural jewel, and the wine lives up to the hype. Choose from a patio seating experience, take in some live music, and soak up the setting sun with a stunning view. At Michael David Winery on Highway 12, it’s easy to see why the winery is a huge hit with locals and tourists alike. From the original wine tasting bar, to their open air second tasting room, and patio seating for days, the atmosphere is friendly and fun! Check out Harney Lane Winery for the incredible hospitality, family history, charming tasting room, and award-winning wine. SJMAG.COM

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BEST OF THE BEST

SHOPPING BEST AUTO

DEALERSHIP

When you’re looking for a new car, you want a dealership you can trust to sell you a quality vehicle at a great price. When it comes to new auto sales, Chase Chevrolet is the best in the business, with a team of sales people ready to make your car buying experience as simple as possible. For a luxury vehicle, Mercedes Benz of Stockton keeps its lot stocked with a variety of new and used models. If you have your sights set on a Ford, Big Valley Ford Lincoln will have you driving off the lot in your dream car in no time.

BEST FINE JEWELRY

Whether you’re looking for THE piece of jewelry or an everyday piece, Gary J. Long Jewelers has you covered. An expansive collection of jewelry and supportive staff are there to help customers pick pieces to complement their style, or to gift to that special someone. Peck’s Jewelers has history and experience on its side. The oldest family-owned and operated jewelry shop in Stockton has a knack for jewelry selection and care. DeVon’s in Stockton is just one of the chain’s locations, but it is also a favorite of customers, who appreciate the staff’s intricate attention to detail and emphasis on service with a smile.

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Best

DESIGNER EYEWEAR/EYE GLASS STORE

Looking for cute new shades to frame your face? Great Spectacles specializes in a variety of designer frames, offering every style you could think of in its Lincoln Center shop. Brookside Optometry provides more than a service to patients. Those who come in for a check-up can also take home a pair of stylish glasses, or two. Midtown Optometry provides a similar business model with eye care options as well as a great section of eyewear for shopping.

BEST FASHIONABLE

ACCESSORIES

There are few feelings we like more than strolling through our favorite shopping areas on a warm day looking for new pieces to make us feel fab. Bellissima Boutique is a long-standing customer favorite, stocking unique pieces customers love. Fashion Safari in downtown Lodi is a cute space filled with more than chic clothes. Browse tables and walls filled with goods including scarves, purses, jewelry, and more. FINA in Lincoln Center is at the forefront of fashion, keeping its space stocked with the latest and greatest fashion accessories.

BEST GIFT SHOP

Finding the perfect gift can be hard. Lucky for us, San Joaquin County is home to some seriously adorable gift shops littered with goodies for people with an assortment of interests. Located in Stockton’s Lincoln Center, Best Wishes is our gold medal winner. Inside shoppers can find gifts for everyone on their list from babies to great aunts. The Owl Box in Tracy is another option, offering an eclectic assortment of goods from kitchenware to drinkware, fashion accessories, and more—often served with a little sass. Stockton’s Regalo Bello keeps its store stocked with seasonal specialties including plush pillows, décor, and gift cards.

BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP

Regardless of your reason for shopping second-hand—sustainability, originality, style, or cost—San Joaquin County has super cute boutiques boasting previously loved pieces your closet will adore, plus some items for home. My Best Friend’s Closet feels just like that, going shopping through your best friend’s clothes to find new-to-you pieces to enhance your wardrobe. Spread the love to your little ones with gently used clothes and toys at Once Upon a Child in Tracy. Littles grow so fast, spending a little less on their fashions is certainly appealing! If it’s your home that needs a little sprucing up, turn to New & Again Consignment Furniture Gallery where shoppers can browse an ever-changing inventory of furniture, décor, and more.

BEST PLACE TO BUY MOTORCYCLES

In a brand new category this year we’re celebrating our county’s need for speed! Motorcycles offer up a lot of adventure, and Eagle’s Nest Harley Davidson is there to sell customers a new ride with function, speed, and safety in mind. In fact, it’s the only certified Harley Davidson dealership in Northern California on Interstate 5, which is why people flock to Lathrop to buy a bike. If you need a tune-up on your Harley Davidson, step into Dream Rides Motorcycle Repair. This Stockton shop is focused on selling everything you need to enjoy a Harley. If your heart isn’t set on a Harley, visit Tracy Motorsports where the focus is on Kawasaki vehicles of all kinds.

BEST MUSIC STORE

This list is music to our ears! Music Go Round takes the gold. Here, customers can sell their old musical instruments and accessories on the spot, and even use that credit toward other goodies in the store. Located in downtown Tracy, Main Street Music not only sells instruments, the shop also offers music lessons for eager students of all ages. Bill’s Music has been serving the community as a family-owned and operated music store since 1965. Stop in to get new instruments ,repairs and tuning, expert advice, music lessons, rehearsal space, and trade-ins, or sell your instruments to the shop.

BEST SHOPPING CENTER/ MALL

Get ready to shop ‘til you drop! Why visit just one store when you can spend an afternoon shopping, sipping, and enjoying lunch all in one convenient location. Lincoln Center reigns supreme as our reader’s favorite shopping destination, complete with restaurants, an escape room, boutiques, markets, and more. Weberstown Mall draws a crowd for its event offerings but even on a casual day it’s a good place to shop big-name brands like Dillard’s and Forever 21. Close by Sherwood Mall offers a classic mall-going experience for guests, complete with a food court and staple stores such as Best Buy, Macy’s, Claire’s, and more.

BEST PET

SUPPLIES

Take your furry friend on a shopping spree! Whether it’s new toys or tasty new food, Carter’s Pet Mart is packed with the goods your pet deserves. Petco is another trusted provider of goods for our favorite pals, offering everything from the pets themselves to the supplies they need to survive and thrive at home with you. The pet aisles at PetSmart are packed with nutritious treats, fun and educational toys, and needed gear and services for every type of fun, including training classes!

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BEST OF THE BEST

BEST VINTAGE

SHOPPING Best WOMEN’S SHOES

CLOTHING STORE

If you’re looking for clothing that can’t be bought in a department store—at least not this decade— look no further than Lilou of the Valley, an adorable vintage boutique that supports every type of fashion sense. Pawtastic Thrift Boutique is a thrift store with a charitable cause—and it’s not limited to just pet stuff. Shop here and benefit local animal rescues. At Crossroads Trading you can both buy and sell fashionable goods.

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

When you’re closet needs a refresh, FINA is there for you. The Lincoln Center store is constantly refreshing its inventory to stay on top of trends. If that didn’t satisfy your urge to splurge, take the trek over to Bellissima Boutique where it’s easy to build an entire outfit from scratch using the shop’s cute clothes and array of accessories. Still not satisfied? Theadora has gained a reputation as one of the best places to buy lingerie and undergarments in SJC, but the shop also stocks seasonal fashions that will truly elevate your style game.

BOUTIQUE

If Cinderella taught us anything, it’s that a shoe can change your life. Looking for the right pair to fit your feet? Dennis Shea Shoes is dedicated to fitting every princess in town, specializing in hard-to-find sizes in top brands. FINA is a haven for all fashionistas proving you don’t always have to go to a specialty store to find the best shoes. This Lincoln Center shop carries all the top styles. Bellissima Boutique is another great fashion store with an impressive collection of footwear.

BEST SPECIALTY STORE

This category offers a lot of room for interpretation. What do you consider a specialty boutique? For readers, The Bone Store is the cream of the crop, selling a variety of items from furniture to shoes that focus on spine support and overall bone health. For others, Regalo Bello fits the description, a store that sells accessories, home goods, and more. Last up, Mia Bella’s Boutique prides itself on selling a little of everything, an eclectic boutique for specialty pieces you can’t find everywhere else.

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SOCIETY PET ADOPTIONS VETERINARY CLINICS STOCKTON

EVERY SUNDAY 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

MANTECA EVERY SUNDAY 3:30PM - 5PM

STOCKTON ADOPT A BULLS

ADOPTIONS EVERY SAT/SUN 11:30AM - 3:30PM MANTECA LOCATION ONLY

ADOPTIONS

Guaranteed Lowest Prices! Will match or beat Competitor’s pricing! Full Line Pet Store

(ADOPTION FEES WAIVED)

EVERY SATURDAY, 11 AM - 3 PM EVERY SUNDAY, 11 AM - 3 PM (TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

STOCKTON LOCATION ONLY

20% OFF 1 single item, excludes dog & cat food and cat litter

The Carter Family Would Like To Thank You For Voting Us Best STOCKTON In Pet Supplies 909 W March Lane

Store coupon. May be redeemed at Carter’s Pet Mart in Stockton and Manteca. One coupon per household please. No cash value. No cash back. Not valid on the purchase of gift cards or prior purchases. not valid on LIVE ANIMALS OR FISH TANKS ABOVE 55 gallons May not be combined with any other offer. Expires 7/30/19 STKN

WWW.CARTERSPETMART.COM

5 OFF *

*Any Purchase $30.00 or more

SHELTER CAT ADOPTIONS IN STORE.

STKN

MANTECA 510 North Main Street

2 LOCATIONS 209-957-6278 TO SERVE YOU 209-239-4071 Mon-Fri 8:30am - 8pm Mon-Fri 8:30am to 9pm

Sat 8:30am to 8pm • Sun 9am to 7pm

STOCKTON ANIMAL

Store coupon. May be redeemed at Carter’s Pet Mart in Stockton and Manteca. One coupon per household please. No cash value. No cash back. Not valid on the purchase of gift cards or prior purchases. May not be combined with any other offer. Expires 7/30/19

STOP BY OR CALL FOR DETAILS

Sat 8:30am to 7pm • Sun 9am to 6pm

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU

STOCKTON

MODESTO

909 W March Lane

92001 McHenry Ave.

209-957-6278

Mon-Fri 8:30 8:30am am - 8pm Sat 8:30 8:30am am to 8pm • Sun 9am to 7pm

209 622-0547

MANTECA

510 North Main Street

Mon-Fri 8:30 8:30am am - 8pm Sat 8:30 8:30am am to 7pm • Sun 9am to 6pm

209-239-4071

Mon-Fri 8:30 8:30am am - 8pm Sat 8:30 8:30am am to 7pm • Sun 9am to 6pm

Thank you for voting us one of the best women’s clothing boutiques!

Theadora Boutique Clothes and intimates you will love living life in.

Thank you for voting us Best Fashion Accessories Retailer FOR 2019 Lovely Girl Mobile Boutique We carry ladies clothing sizes S-3X, jewelry, purses, scarves & more! We bring a fun shopping experience to your home, office or special event! Host a party & receive 25% off your entire purchase! You can find us on Facebook or Instagram lovelygirlmobileboutique@yahoo.com (209) 483-8910 or (209) 481-1447

Booking all events for Fall & Winter!

We have you covered from the inside out. With bra sizes 30-44 and cup sizes A-H. Fashion starting at XS-XXL.

209.474.7407

theadoraboutique.com

270 Lincoln Center, Stockton Mon - Sat 10am-6pm • Sun 12-5pm www.theadoraboutique.com

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BEST OF THE BEST

Best Golf Course

PLAY

(Public)

BEST

ART

GALLERY When it comes to art galleries in San Joaquin County, the Haggin Museum consistently tops the list, especially after several updates over the past few years have both expanded the art collections and the hands-on learning opportunities throughout. Double Dip Gallery is another favorite, located in downtown Lodi, where you can grab a cone while viewing the art. Lodi Community Art Center, a 501c3 nonprofit, houses an eclectic collection of art ranging from student pieces to competition works, plus classes and workshops.

BEST LOCAL BEST CASINO (WITHIN DOWNTOWN STOCKTON 100 MILES) HOTSPOT When you’re looking to hit the jackpot, residents are in agreeance that Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is the place to go for playing slots and table games. The casino boasts gaming 24/7, a line-up of entertainment (pre-COVID), and dining. Closet to home, Ione houses the Caesar’s-owned Harrah’s Northern California where boredom will be a distant memory with 950 rotating slot machines, 20 table games, and blockbuster promotions. Last up in the line-up is Lodi’s very own casino, Parkwest Casino Lodi, a smoke-free option focused on card games without the distraction of slots nearby. And just like the other two casinos, Parkwest offers gambling around the clock.

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Where are you going to spend a day in Stockton? With so much to do in this fun-packed city, it feels impossible to choose the best, but our readers delivered with their first, second, and third round picks for free time in Stockton. Gold goes to The Downtowner, a Monday-Friday eatery focused on good mood food that is healthful and fun. The silver is awarded to Cast Iron Trading Co., last year’s gold winner, known for its stellar brunch and charming ambiance. Last up, the Deliberation Room, a unique speakeasy-style restaurant that offers up a law theme in a laidback environment on Stockton’s busy California Street, earns bronze.

Swenson Park Golf Course is littered with hazards to challenge even the most experienced player but also offers up an array of courses designed for all different skill levels. The crown jewel of Swenson, however, is the panoramic landscape views stretching over Stockton. Elkhorn Golf Club caters itself to the experienced crowd, offering a social calendar full of tournaments and other engagements to play on the challenging, yet level, 18hole course. Golfers in Lodi flock to Micke Grove Golf Links, a treasured course amongst the verdant vineyards. Come play a round with eight sparkling lakes, 42 sand bunkers, and countless breathtaking views. Not to mention, there’s a 30-slot driving range ideal for warming up or just hitting some balls when you’re not playing the course.

BEST GOLF COURSE (PRIVATE) Golf fanatics are in agreeance. When it comes to the best private golf courses in the county, these three contenders always hit the mark. This year, voters named Brookside Golf & Country Club’s 18-Hole Championship Golf Course the best private course in the county, revered for its Scottish flair and 14 surrounding lakes. Next up is Stockton Golf & Country Club, a 1920s built 18-hole course located on the San Joaquin River. Coming in third is Woodbridge Golf & Country Club, boasting the longest course of them all at 27 holes. The club, built in 1924, offers gorgeous surroundings, nestled between cherry orchards and grape vineyards along the Mokelumne River.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING ME #1 REALTOR IN SAN JOAQUIN

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL CA REALTOR LIC #01987449

209-986-9292 L E A R N M O R E AT L A N C E M C H A N . C O M | SJMAG.COM

AUGUST 2020

BEST OF THE BEST

HEALTH Best Allergist

BEST

From non-stop sniffles to life threatening reactions, if allergies are a part of your daily life you know that those over-the-counter pills sometimes just don’t cut it. If you’re looking to explore other treatment options, trust the experts at Allergy Immunology & Asthma Medical Group to get your allergies under control. Stocktonians also turn to Dr. Dennis W. Delpaine, a trusted expert for allergy, immunology, and rheumatology concerns. Treating both children and adults, Dr. Jun Lu, of Sutter Gould Medical Group is eager to help his patients overcome their pet allergies, food allergies, and everything in between.

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Whether you’re facing a recent injury or stubborn back and neck pain that just won’t let up, a chiropractor can help alleviate pain and improve your range of motion. If you’re seeking flexibility of office location, as well as flexibility of your spine, Hayes Chiropractic has two offices in Stockton, as well as one in both Lodi and Galt. For ongoing treatment options, take advantage of Tom Paige Chiropractic’s unlimited chiropractic care membership program or turn to Stockton’s Dr. Edmund Zeiter Jr., for a tandem approach to patient education and treatment.

COSMETIC SURGERY

When feeling your best means looking your best, you might find yourself in search of a trustworthy plastic surgeon. In San Joaquin County, you can count on Vu Plastic Surgery to employ the best time-tested techniques alongside cutting edge advances to deliver the safest surgery options and stunning results. At McNemar Cosmetic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas McNemar draws patients from as far as the Bay Area to his Tracy and San Ramon offices. Dr. Kimberly Cockerham, offers special attention to your most eye-catching features – your eyes, lips, and face – with services such as eyelash and eyebrow restoration, lip and cheek augmentation, and facial laser resurfacing.

Best CrossFit STUDIO

BEST

DAY SPA

Forget turning lemons into lemonade and trudging along. When stress creeps into your life, unwind with our county’s best day spas. A long-time staple in Lodi, The Spa at Wine & Roses offers a relaxation experience that is second to none. Choose from an extensive menu of services such as a Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, Honey Bee Good body treatment, Organic Enzyme-Peel, and much more. Make a day out of it and leave feeling like a new person with Perfect Balance Day Spa’s offering of facials, massages, manipedis, waxing and tanning services, and hair salon. At Elevate Skincare and Spa by Kym with a Y, you’re invited to mix and match spa services to find your highest form of relaxation.

Ready to sweat it out? CrossFit is an exercise regimen focused on high intensity interval training for strength and conditioning. When you want to take your fitness goals to another level, look no further than, well, Another Level CrossFit. Recently purchased by Trevor and Erica Phillips of Fulcrum Fitness, both new and experienced CrossFitters are welcome and will have all the expertise and equipment needed at their disposal. Or join CrossFit 209 Sport where CrossFit classes include flexibility training, weight-lifting, power lifting, gymnastics, and endurance activities. In Tracy, you can get your blood pumping at CFT Fitness to target burning calories, shedding weight, and building lean muscles.

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Best

BEST EYE CARE/

PEDIATRIC OPTOMETRIST DENTIST At Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics, the proof is in the name. With a focus on tiny teeth, Kids Care has locations throughout the Central Valley so care is always close by. Ronald S. Noriesta, D.D.S emphasizes preventative care to take care of your little one’s pearly whites, but is also there to address existing problems or for dental emergencies. At Martin Dentistry making sure their littlest patients are comfortable is the first priority.

BEST FACIAL

The Spa at Wine & Roses offers a variety of therapeutic, exfoliating, and moisturizing facial treatments that can help firm, correct, and clarify the skin. Or, make an appointment at Elevate Skincare and Spa by Kym with a Y, where you will be treated to an anti-aging SkinCeuticals Custom Facial or an Eminence Organics Custom Facial. Meanwhile, the award-winning esthetics team at Perfect Balance Day Spa will customize a facial perfect for your skin type.

You don’t have to look far to find expert eye care in San Joaquin County. For the tenth year in a row, San Joaquin Magazine readers have voted Brookside Optometric Group the best in the county. Thanks to a merger that brought together the area’s largest optometry practices in the late 90s, their team of optometrists is able to provide unparalleled flexibility in scheduling without compromising quality. With offices in Lodi, Stockton, Tracy, and Manteca, Zeiter Eye Medical Group offers comprehensive vision exams, as well as more specialized treatments like refractive surgery. For vision therapy options, look to Midtown Optometry, where husband and wife team Dr. Derron Lee and Dr. Leanne Lee offer services specialized in treating and correcting a variety of vision disorders.

Best Cosmetic Dentist

Take it from our readers: San Joaquin County’s top cosmetic dentists will give you something to smile about. Dr. Lester Low believes that the best way to ensure his patients leave confident and happy with their teeth it to treat them like family. Maybe it’s something he learned when he worked for his father’s practice thirty years ago – as they say, it’s all in the family. In Lodi, Dr. Todd A. Franklin can help your inner confidence show through by addressing cosmetic concerns such as cracked or broken teeth, discoloration, and enamel and gum shaping. Or turn to the experts at Martin Dentistry, where they specialize in cosmetic and implant dentistry.

BEST DERMATOLOGIST/

SKIN DOCTOR

Fun fact: the largest organ in the human body isn’t actually inside – it’s your skin. And your skin has a big role to play in protecting your body, so don’t skimp on the skin care! With over four decades of experience, Dr. Stuart Jacobs has seen just about every skin-related concern under the sun (including those caused by the sun). The dermatologists at Quail Lakes Dermatology can address concerns ranging from acne to skin legions and cancers. Offering treatment for everything from psoriasis to vitiligo and all conditions in between, Dr. Abdallah Khourdaji customizes skin care therapies to the unique needs of each patient. And to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, you can also look into their medical spa’s range of anti-aging treatments.

Best

Orthodontist

Sometimes that picture perfect smile is just out of your control. Patients of all ages trust Dr. Cameron R. Wheeler of Wheeler Orthodontics to straighten their smile. With two locations (one in Stockton and one in Modesto) Samra Orthodontics’ philosophy is to treat people, not patients, so they are careful to listen to your needs and concerns from your first appointment to your last. With orthodontic professionals accustomed to working with young patients, you can be sure that Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics will make your kids comfortable and well cared for during orthodontic treatment.

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BEST OF THE BEST

Best

Family Health Practice

Your family comes first and the county’s top family healthcare providers share your priorities. You’ll be met with convenience and continuity in your family’s care when you opt for the not-for-profit Sutter Gould Medical Foundation where you can find the perfect physician for every member of the family. With Kaiser Permanente your family will have access to a healthcare system of nearly 40 hospitals, 700 medical offices, and 23,000 physicians. Founded in 1986, Dignity Health Medical Group is the largest hospital provider in the state and believes in affordable healthcare, delivered with compassion.

BEST

FITNESS CLASSES

Break a sweat and maybe make a new friend. At Twin Arbors Health Club members have access to dozens of different types of classes every week and a semi-private F.I.T. club that gives you the best of working out in a group environment with the personal attention of a trainer. With locations

HAIR

HEALTH

SALON STUDIO

When those $13 haircuts just won’t cut it, you’ve got to turn to the experts at our readers’ favorite salons. For the bold cuts and colors you’ve been dreaming about, book your chair at the chic Pomp Salon – and have Instagram at the ready! For a returning reader favorite that’s consistently on the cutting edge of style, turn to Exclusive Beauty Salon. Want a cut like no other? Alter Custom Hair has just what you’re looking for.

throughout the Central Valley, In-Shape Health Clubs offer classes ranging from classic strength or cardio classes to mind/body classes, dance classes, and even aqua classes. Come for a class and stay for a shake at F4 Fitness in Stockton. Or, connect with your inner cyclist, yogi, or dancer at Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre.

Hair Stylist

(INDIVIDUAL)

Looking to go from brunette to blond? Or maybe something brighter and bolder? Find your way to their chairs and these hair stylists will color, cut, and deep condition their way into your hair-care routine. If you’re looking for those soft, freehanded highlights, Exclusive Beauty Salon’s DeAnjanae Binder has got all your balayage needs under control. Go bold with bright colors or blow it out with a Brazilian Blowout from Sara Gallagher at Pomp Salon. From ombre to orchid, Cecilie Chavarria of Exclusive Beauty Salon is your go-to gal. Tiffany Gomez Bridal Hair and Makeup is ready to give you the braided updo, beach waves, or other bridal style to help you look your best on your big day.

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

Best HEALTH CLUB (MULTIPLE LOCATIONS) With multiple locations, long hours, and fitness experts, these health clubs can be as flexible as you are. The 64-location In-Shape Health Club offers members classes geared toward kids, seniors, and every age (and fitness level) in between. Planet Fitness’s more than 2000 locations nationwide means you would be hard pressed to find a locale without a club – it doesn’t get any more flexible than that. And for those late night, can’t-wait work outs, the doors are always open at 24 Hour Fitness.

(SINGLE LOCATION)

Starting a fitness routine can be intimidating, but San Joaquin County’s single location health clubs are welcoming, low pressure, and make you feel right at home while you find your workout groove. Proudly touting the title “the only private sport club in Lodi,” Twin Arbors Sports Club offers fitness classes, as well as league and open play sports. With about 80 members, F4 Fitness in Stockton is happy to offer group classes but also has the time to offer private, one-on-one training at any level. Spice up your fitness routine at Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre where you can find traditional classes or fusion classes like the Ride + Flow class that pairs cycling and yoga.

BEST HEARING CENTER

Tired of the constant shouting? Find yourself maxing out your TV volume on the daily? Then you’ll be happy to hear about San Joaquin County’s best hearing centers as chosen by our readers. Stockton Hearing & Speech Center is more than a hearing aid store. They offer hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, tinnitus management, and more. At American Hearing Aids in Stockton, Owner and Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser Debbie Bond has been serving the community for nearly 20 years. The University of the Pacific Hearing and Balance Center provides comprehensive audiological care to make hearing effortless.

BEST

INDEPENDENT

PHARMACY

Independent pharmacies can often provide customers with better customer service, shorter wait times, and lower costs. Whether you opt for an in-person refill or delivery, Hammer Lane Pharmacy believes you’ll see the difference in their service. When it comes to customized medications for both themselves and their pets, San Joaquinians trust Pacific Compounding Pharmacy, where medications are made specifically to a patient’s needs. With Herold K. Reich’s Pharmacy, you can choose to have your prescriptions delivered or take advantage of the Medication Synchronization service to make sure you never miss a dose.

BEST

Hospital

When you have an emergency, the last thing you want is to agonize over where you’ll receive the best care. If you find yourself in need of care – for an emergency or scheduled procedure – you can trust our readers’ top choices. Dignity Health’s St. Joseph's Medical Center offers an online waiting room, patient navigator services, and a variety of classes to keep your health on track. Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital aims to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health with every interaction at their facilities. In Manteca, readers believe the Kaiser Permanente Manteca Medical Center is a step above the rest.

BEST HOSPICE/

PALLIATIVE CARE

For quality care and comfort leading up to those final days, it’s important to find a hospice provider you can trust. For locals, that means Hospice of San Joaquin where your loved ones are guaranteed the best care at their own home or at the Hospice House. Community Hospice of San Joaquin opened its doors in 2014 and has made it a priority to offer superior end of life care ever since. With more than 40 years’ experience and facilities in 14 states, VITAS Healthcare draws on a longstanding network of knowledgeable experts to make those last months as comfortable as possible.

Best LASIK EYE SURGERY

Lasik eye surgery can change the way you see the world, but you don’t want to trust your baby blues to just anyone. Since opening in 1962, Zeiter Eye Medical Group has helped thousands of patients achieve better vision through optical surgery, including Lasik. According to Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center, 94 percent of the eligible population are good candidates for Lasik and they want to make your dreams of clearer vision a reality. Brookside Optometric Group invites you to consider what life without lenses would mean for you, and helps customers take the steps to make that happen.

MASSAGE THERAPY

If you don’t think a good massage is an important part of feeling your best, you’ve probably never had a massage like this. The Spa at Wine & Roses is once again our readers’ top pick and with the variety of massage services they offer, it’s no wonder. At Perfect Balance Day Spa, you can count on the masseuses to customize every massage to your personal preference. Elevate your massage at Elevate Skincare and Spa by Kym with a Y and see just how indulgent a restorative, deep pressure massage can be. SJMAG.COM

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BEST OF THE BEST

HEALTH BEST

MEDICAL SUPPLY STORE

If you’ve got pain in your head, shoulder, knees and toes, it’s time to ease the aches and pains with top notch braces, insoles, and ergonomic furniture. For over 20 years, The Bone Store has been the go-to medical supply store from Stockton to Fresno. At Tracy’s Reich’s Medical Supply (owned by Dr. Harold K Reich, owner and pharmacist at the nearby Herold K. Reich’s Pharmacy), the certified staff can help you choose the best equipment for your needs and demonstrate how to use it so there are no surprises when you get home. In Stockton, American Med provides customers with detailed customer service to match each person with the ideal product.

BEST

PHYSICAL THERAPY COMPANY

BEST ORTHOPEDICS

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your bones – until there’s a problem. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, the team at Alpine Orthopaedic Medical Group believes preventative care is just as important when it come to your bones as it is any other part of your body. Or turn to Sutter Gould Medical Foundation’s network of orthopedists throughout Northern California to find an expert close to home. Based out of Manteca, Dr. Bliss W. Clark, M.D. is a trusted orthopedic surgeon with four decades of experience.

BEST PILATES

STUDIO

Looking to build strength, increase flexibility, and improve your posture in one low-impact workout? Thank Joseph Pilates for inventing this fitness routine – and thank our readers for sharing the best Pilates studios with you. Focus on your posture, breathing, and flexibility as you ease into Pilates at Now and Zen Yoga Studio or go full steam ahead with Pilates Plus, an intermediate level class. Tap into the barre portion of Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre for classes that blend Pilates with yoga, dance, and cardio. Or keep it simple with a class at Studio Joy in Ripon.

BEST OB-GYN

Physical therapy has a reputation of being a slow and arduous journey, but with these San Joaquin experts guiding you and cheering you on, you’ll be in tip-top shape in no time. Central Valley Physical Therapy has locations in Stockton, Lodi, and Galt, but they aim to present a united front and always provide their patients with the best care possible. At Pine Street Physical & Occupational Therapy patient education plays a large role in the approach to healing and at Golden Bear Physical Therapy and Sports Injury Center the team works to address orthopedic, neurological, musculoskeletal, and sports injuries so you can get on with your life pain free.

Best SKILLED

NURSING FACILITIES

Sending your loved one to live at a skilled nursing facility is a difficult decision, but knowing you’ve picked the best facility for them can help ease some of the apprehension. Let our readers make your choice a little easier. At Meadowood, the focus is on helping residents regain their independence by working closely with therapists and providing ongoing support to those who need it. Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, Creekside Center excels when it comes to resident comfort. Residents at Somerford Place of Stockton not only have access to 24-hour care, but can also enjoy restaurant-style dining, a range of social and educational activities, an in-house beauty salon, and more.

Our OB-GYNs are often an important part of some of life’s most intimate moments, so our standards are high for these healthcare professionals. In San Joaquin County, no one is more trusted than the expert team at Gill OB/GYN Medical Group. Serving the community since 1953, patients can rest assured that their comfort is the top priority. Dr. Bhagya Nakka’s medical practice is specialized in childbirth and women’s health issues and she strives to develop a personal relationship with all patients. At Sutter Gould Medical Group, Dr. Philip Dodd, is a trusted OB-GYN with decades of experience addressing pregnancy complications, breast and cervical cancer preventative care, and more.

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BEST YOGA STUDIO

Yoga is never a bad idea, and now is the time to make your way to the mat. Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre offers classes that will inspire you from the moment you hear their names until long after you leave the studio. Or find your Zen at Now and Zen Yoga Studio where classes are broken into three experience levels to ensure you get the most out of your class time. Kick it up a notch and break a sweat with True You Hot Yoga’s Hot Vinyasa flow in a cozy 40 percent humidity, 96-degree heat.

BEST

Best TANNING SALON Urgent Care Central Valley summers certainly aren’t lacking in sunshine, but for that justoff-the-beach perfect bronze year-round, you’ll have to head indoors. Lincoln Center’s Planet Beach promises no streaks, no orange, and no melanin spray tans or just-right-exposure UV tanning. Stop by Havatan, where it’s always sunny and you can choose between tanning and spray tan options. With locations in Lodi and Stockton, your perfect tan is within reach. Sunny Daze Tanning & Salon not only has several tanning services to offer, but new clients can now receive their first tan for free!

When you don’t need to jump right to a trip to the ER, but you can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care physician, the county’s urgent care providers can offer quick care. San Joaquin Magazine’s readers trust Sutter Gould Urgent Care (2545 West Hammer Lane), where patients as young as three months can be treated for non-lifethreatening illnesses or minor injuries like the flu, minor burns, cuts, or broken bones. Open from 9 AM-9 PM every day (including holidays), you can count on Trinity Urgent Care to be there when you need it most. Stockton Urgent Care is ready to cure what ails you when you walk through their door, seven days a week.

BEST WEIGHT LOSS/ CONTROL PROGRAM

Aside from offering support and encouragement, these weight loss experts can help guide you through your journey and ensure that you reach – and maintain – your goal weight. Weight Watchers. You know the name and you’ve seen the results. Now it’s time to give the program a try for yourself. Lodi’s Diet Center offers diet plans designed by registered dieticians who make it their goal to stay up-todate with the most recent research while in-center programs help keep customers on track. Physicians Weight Clinic has been helping people lose weight for 30 years – and now they want to help you.

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BEST OF THE BEST

SERVICE BEST

ACCOUNTANT

If trying to balance your checkbook or file your taxes gives you flashbacks to math class, it’s probably best to let the experts handle the numbers and save yourself some stress. For all your general accounting and tax needs, turn to Iacopi, Lenz & Co, a firm trust by Stocktonians since the late 1970s. With two offices in the county (Stockton and Tracy), businesses and individuals alike turn to Kemper CPA Group for their accounting, tax, and payroll needs. All About Numbers promises to “add sense to your dollars” when you choose to bring them your bookkeeping, tax, payroll, and estate questions.

BEST ANIMAL

RESCUE/SHELTER/ ADOPTION

Thousands of cats and dogs move through Stockton Animal Shelter every year. One – or more – could be your new best friend. PALS is a 501(c) (3) no kill, non-profit organization where the goal is to increase the number of animals adopted and provide humane care until they find their fur-ever home. Before an animal is put up for adoption by the Delta Humane Society, each one undergoes a medical and behavioral checkup, vaccinations, and is spayed or neutered, so you know you’re taking home a happy, healthy animal that can be part of your family for years to come. Or, turn to Lodi’s Animal Friends Connection Humane Society where they house up to 40 cats and 35 dogs at any given time.

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material, and workmanship.

BEST LOCAL BANK

Looking for quality banking close to home? Locals know that in order to get the most customized, personal service you should opt for the home-grown neighborhood bank over their national, billion-branch counterparts. Our readers held fast with their top picks from last year. Bank of Stockton once again came out on top for their offering of checking and savings accounts, auto loans, home refinancing, mobile banking, and more. Headquartered in Lodi and dating back to 1916, F&M Bank customers enjoy the conconvenience of drive-up tellers and Saturday banking at most locations. BAC Community Bank offers personal and business banking options, as well as investment options.

BEST CAR WASH

When those summer camping weekends and road trips leave your car in desperate need of cleaning, the next destination on your list is a stop at the car wash. At Kelly’s Car Wash, take advantage of a foam wash, Velocity Clear Coat Surface Protector, and free vacuum service and you’ll drive away with your car clean inside and out. Peruse a selection of seasonal gifts and goodies while your car gets a rub-a-dub-dub at Canepa's Car Wash in Stockton. For most of the world, “zoom” may have become synonymous with telecommuting, but in Stockton it means a clean car and quality service. At Zoom Car Wash, loyal customers benefit from an unlimited monthly membership program.

Best CREDIT UNION

Non-for-profit credit unions can often offer lower interest rates with less ridged eligibility requirements where their smaller size and local involvement means they become a part of the community they serve. With half a dozen locations throughout the county, Financial Center Credit Union offers its members checking and savings accounts, as well as discounted insurance products, financial planning, and even a legal help hotline. From humble roots as a Sacramento based financial cooperative, Golden 1 Credit Union has grown to have more than 70 locations throughout California, delivering financial solutions and exceptional service to their members. And at Premier Community Credit Union you’ll find a wide variety of lending and mortgage services.

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Best Auto Body Shop BEST FAMILY

PHOTOGRAPHER

It’s all smiles with these family photographers who know how to keep little ones giggling and capture those special moments. Specializing in milestones from day one to that first birthday cake, Sweet Sisters Photography also works with kids, high school seniors, and families. Kevin Richtik, owner and head photographer at Caroline Photography, has photographed thousands of local families over the course of his 30-year career. Building on his parents’ reputation for stunning portraits, Arnold Chin carries on the family legacy of award-winning family portraits at Fritz Chin Photography.

BEST DOG TRAINER

New pup that needs leash training? Old dog in need of a refresher? Barking, digging, jumping – almost every behavioral problem can be addressed by a good dog trainer. Bone-a-Fide Dog Training believes the best way to address problem behavior is to give owners the knowledge and skills needed to understand and communicate with their dogs through in-home or group training options. You’ll have plenty of experienced local trainers to choose from when you turn to Bark Busters Home Dog Training. Meanwhile, at Sycamore Lane Kennels dogs of all ages are welcome for group obedience classes, private lessons, or competition practice.

Best Dog Groomer

Dings and dents are no match for these body shops. No matter what you drive, you can trust your ride to All Foreign & Domestic Body Shop where you can be sure repairs will be completed with the highest quality equipment, parts, and materials. For a body shop that runs the gamut from minor door dings, hail damage, and plastic bumper dents to collision repair, roll up to Aurora Collision Center. At American Auto Body in Lodi, you can rest assured that quality repairs will be completed quickly and with a warranty that covers all parts, labor, material, and workmanship.

Pamper your pooch at our readers’ favorite doggie day spas. Open by appointment Monday to Saturday, the certified groomers at Sycamore Lane Kennels offer three different grooming packages to make sure your pup is looking their best. When you trust your dog to Beauty of the Beast, you’ll see that the name is no exaggeration: drop off your beast (all breeds, up to 30 pounds are welcome) and go home with a beauty. Earning rave reviews from lifelong clients, Monique's Paw Dog Grooming leaves pups and pup parents alike thrilled with the grooming experience.

BEST DRY CLEANER

No clue what those alien symbols are on your new favorite sweater? Take the guesswork out of laundry and make sure every special-care garment is cleaned correctly with our reader-recommended dry cleaners. Not only can you get your coats and uniforms cleaned at Parkwood Cleaners, but they’re also happy to help with bedding, drapes, and other fine textiles. Proudly serving Lodi since 1947, Guild Cleaners state of the art equipment will have everything from t-shirts to leather looking like new. Fresh Cleaners in Lodi and Stockton has dual priorities: getting your garments clean and keeping the earth green. That’s why they use non-polluting, non-toxic, non-hazardous cleaning chemicals.

BEST FLORIST

Where would we be without flowers? Probably struggling to find a gift for our sweetheart in February and wondering what we’re supposed to stop and smell now. But fret not! San Joaquinians will never go without blooming bouquets with these top florists around. With a large on-hand inventory of fresh flowers, Silveria’s Flowers & Gifts is always ready to create a bouquet for that special someone. From large events to sameday deliveries, you can count on Charter Way Florists to carefully craft every arrangement to exceed expectations. Opened in 1917 and now run by third- and fourth-generation florists, Belle’s Lodi Flower Shop has a long history of bringing color to weddings and other events.

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BEST OF THE BEST

SERVICE BEST

LAW FIRM

If you find yourself in need of legal advice, it’s time to turn off Law and Order and look up the county’s top law firms. With community roots that can be followed all the way back to 1903, Neumiller & Beardslee represents individuals, businesses, professional groups, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Meanwhile, the team of attorneys at Shore, McKinley, Conger & Jolley, LLP take on personal injury, family law, and business and commercial law cases. And Kroloff, Belcher, Smart, Perry & Christopherson have highly qualified trial lawyers as well as business, commercial, and real estate attorneys on their team ready to help you navigate legal proceedings.

BEST INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE AGENT

Chances are you don’t spend much time thinking about your insurance until you need it – but when that time comes you better hope you did your research. Farmers Insurance Agent Ryan Turner was born and raised in Stockton and is now proud to be serving his hometown community, where he has ranked among the top insurance agents since joining Farmers in 2010. Serving Stockton since 1983, State Farm’s George Azevedo Jr. offers auto, home, property, business, life, and health insurance. Or turn to State Farm’s Jon Rader in Lodi for banking, mutual funds, and annuities in addition to insurance.

BEST VETERINARY CLINIC

BEST PEST CONTROL COMPANY

There’s not much worse than having the creepy crawlies in your home. With 26 locations throughout California and northwestern Nevada, Clark Pest Control are the go-to guys and gals for dealing with ants, termites, rodents, bed bugs, and other common pests. At the locally owned and operated Delk Pest Control, they have the solution to your pest problems. For nearly 40 years, Advanced Integrated Pest Management has specialized in commercial, industrial, and institutional pest management in California.

Your pets are part of the family, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting the best veterinary care possible. Our readers trust Sierra Veterinary Clinic, where your pet will be met with the best care during regular appointments, vaccinations, and emergency care. Or pull out the leash and take a stroll to Walker Veterinary Hospital for dietary planning, preventative care, dental care, and more. In Tracy, Jules Veterinary Center has been healing dogs, cats, bids, guinea pigs, and other furry friends since 2002.

Best Hotel

Whether you have friends in town, are looking to host an event, or just hoping for a relaxing weekend away, you don’t have to go far. Lodi’s Wine & Roses is the perfect place to host a wedding, indulge in an artful meal, or take a kid-free day to unwind at the spa. Located on Stockton’s Waterfront next to the Stockton Arena, Banner Island Ballpark, and the Civic Auditorium, University Plaza Waterfront Hotel offers 179 luxurious guest rooms, fine dining, and 10,000 square feet of event space. Minutes from the University of the Pacific and the Haggin Museum, the Hilton’s Stockton location is the perfect central location for visitors and locals alike.

BEST LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

New to Best Of this year, our readers put forward the local non-profits they’re proud to support. Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary is an animal protection organization that focuses on rehabilitating mistreated animals and currently cares for approximately 200 pigs, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and others. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association has chapters across the nation, including Stockton. Their members have three things in common: they served, they love to ride, and now they help other veterans get back on their feet. Also in Stockton, St. Mary's Dining Room’s mission is to help the community’s homeless and working poor by providing meal services, addressing medical concerns, and restoring human dignity.

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BEST PET SPA

These pet spas know that people aren’t the only ones who need a little pampering now and then. 209 Club Pet’s Full Grooming Spa Package is available for dogs of all sizes and includes a full body hair cut, bath, blowout, nail trim, and more. Paw My Heart Mobile Pet Spa services San Joaquin County and beyond, offering a “Purrfect Groom” for your feline friends and several grooming packages for the pups, too. Whether your four-legged friend is staying at The Canine Culture overnight or just popping in for a wash, you can take advantage of their top-notch grooming services.

Best Real Estate Firm

With nearly 1,900 agents serving the communities in 26 counties in California, the RE/MAX Gold team has the expertise needed to get you out of your old house and into your dream home. Grupe Real Estate has been a part of the community for decades, so they’re extremely knowledgeable about the county’s markets for buying and selling. With locations in Lodi, Stockton, and beyond, Keller Williams Realty brings your search for a new home into the 21st century.

BEST LOCAL

REALTOR

For personal service you can trust, turn to our readers’ favorite realtors. Lance McHan has indepth knowledge of the housing market in and around Stockton and aims to build a relationship with clients so all their needs are understood and met throughout the selling and buying process. With a first career in Esthetics, Beth Calder has now applied her passion for working with people one-on-one to the local real estate market. Stockton’s Michelle Haner focuses on getting her clients the facts they need to make an informed decision they’ll be happy with years down the road.

Best

PET BOARDING

Give your pup his own vacation while your out of town. Our readers’ dogs are all wagging tails at these pet boarding facilities where they can socialize and play all day. Sycamore Lane Kennels offers spacious kennels, multiple activity yards, lake walks, cuddle time, and dog playgroups on their 130-acre facility. At The Canine Culture, owners Jack and Kathy Weber know that dogs have a unique culture of their own and work to ensure all pet’s needs are met while you’re away. At Pet Magic Groom & Board in Manteca, you can enjoy your vacation knowing that the staff at the pet hotel will love your furry friend as much as you do.

BEST SENIOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Choosing the best assisted living facility for yourself or your loved ones can seem like an impossible decision, but you don’t have to make the choice alone. Our readers have been there, done that, and can offer their trusted top picks to you. In Stockton, O'Connor Woods offers independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities depending on individual needs. Tracy’s Astoria Senior Living community feels like a mix between a fine resort and a family home complete with landscaped courtyards and gardens so residents can get outside and enjoy the beautiful California weather. Accommodating both short-term and long-term stays, The Commons at Union Ranch boasts a full calendar of events to keep residents active and socializing.

Best TATTOO

STUDIO

Tattoos aren’t easily shed, so make sure you love your studio and artist before committing to getting inked. At Emerald Tattoo & Piercing, custom satisfaction comes first so you’re sure to love their original work. And if you already have a tattoo that falls short of expectations or you’ve fallen out of love with, they also specialize in cover-ups. Since opening in 2017, Union Tattoo & Piercing has a team of tattoo artists who trained around the county and are eager to give you your first tattoo or your fiftieth. For full body tattoos, 12 Monkeys Tattoo has you covered.

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BEST OF THE BEST

BEST

WEDDING

BEST WEDDING

BEST WEDDING SUPPLY RENTAL

When you’re planning a wedding, you might be surprised just how many items aren’t included at your venue of choice. These rental supply companies are sure to have the pieces you’ll need to make your big day next level. Guiffra’s Party Rentals held its place at the top this year for its wide selection of bridal goods. Bella Festa, took over second place, beckoning brides to do more than rent goods, but to hire a party planner, too. In third place, Stockton Supplies wasn’t far behind, offering party supplies for every step of the way from engagement party to big affair.

Best Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is the centerpiece to your reception, but it’s not always easy to find a creation that tastes as good as it looks. At these three bakeries, you can cross that fear off your list. Lisa Hassett of Frosted Flour puts her passionate spirit into every tier, perfecting cakes for even the pickiest brides. A free tasting at Fizz Bakery, where Tiffany Villafuerte is at the helm, is all you’ll need to jump on the bandwagon. Choose between simple cakes, five-tier masterpieces, and everything in between. In Tracy, at SweetArts, cakes are just the tip of the iceberg. Christina Fry also whips up macaroons.

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WEDDING DRESS/ BRIDAL SHOP

Best Wedding Flowers

CATERER

No one has even accused San Joaquin County of being short on good grub, and when it comes to the big day, the last thing you want to do is skimp on a good meal. Angelina’s Spaghetti House remains a favorite for all occasions, including that most momentous one. Craft a custom menu to fit your wedding day vibe from a long list of pastas, proteins, and more. If you book a wedding at Brookside Country Club, you’ll benefit from in-house catering, and the food looks—and tastes—as good as the venue. Smokin' Yankee’s BBQ Catering offers something a little more downhome. The catering company has perfected its high-end barbecue game featuring delectable dishes like bacon-wrapped meatballs, tri-tip, and prime rib.

From big bouquets to decorative floral arrangements, flowers are an important part of the wedding industry. For brides looking to add a dash of design with fresh blooms, there’s no need to look outside of the agricultural hub we live in. Silveria’s Flowers & Gifts came in first this year for big day blooms, selling everything from boutonnieres to bouquets. Anna Sinclair owns runner up Huckleberry Blooms. The expert floral designer puts her passion into every project, crafting arrangements inspired by the seasons with local blooms from Northern California. Charter Way Florist is proud of its local stems, working closely with area flower farms to design seasonal bouquets and more.

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It’s the second most important time you’ll day I Do. When it comes to having a memorable experience, Sheryl Giles Bridal doesn’t cut corners. Her shop of gorgeous gowns goes beyond dressing the bride, offering

tasteful designs for every member of the wedding party. The Elizabeth Bridal stocks collections by top designers including House of Wu, Lillian West, and Casablanca Bridal. At Maggie’s Bridal & Formal the focus is on customer service, offering an excellent experience to brides, plus a special “I Found the Dress” touch at the end.

BEST FORMAL WEAR/TUXEDO

Your man has one job come wedding day—look dapper. Ok, maybe two—it’s a plus if he remembers his vows, as well. Get the best big day suit from Tuxedos of Lodi, your one-stop-shop for men’s formalwear. Or, try on options at The Elizabeth Bridal where you can browse dresses at the same spot your man gets his tux, just maybe not at the same time. If neither of those do the trick, JFY Formal in Stockton is stocked with suits to please both bride and groom.

BEST WEDDING DJ

The San Joaquin DJ trifecta is back! These three companies will have guests groovin’ all night long. Start your search with a call to Elite Entertainment for reception-only packages or all-day services. If that doesn’t work,readers say your second call should be to Marquis Entertainment (if you want to get real rowdy add karaoke to your party package). After that, there’s just once place left to call. Art of Sound—a company that goes beyond DJ services to offer other cool add-ons including photo booth packages, custom lighting, and more.

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BEST OF THE BEST

WEDDING BEST BEST WEDDING LIMO/PARTY PHOTOGRAPHER BUS It’s your party and you can leave in style if you want to! (And we highly recommend it). Select a limo or town car from Aurora Limousine Service’s fleet of fancy cars, or hook up your whole wedding party in a party bus. Luxor Coach Limousine is never short on seats. In addition to more modest rides, the company includes stretch escalades and other over-sized transportation for big parties. At Vintage Limousine Service, the delight is in the details. Choose fun “just married,” packages to make the most of your big farewell.

A picture is worth a thousand words—and that’s why brides are willing to shell out thousands for gram-worthy photos. The two lovers behind Briggs Photography bonded over their shared interest of capturing special moments, so it’s no wonder the duo has continued to make their living taking shots of other lovebirds. At Jon & Jess Photography, the husband-wife team share their love with new brides and grooms on the big day. With a signature style, Amanda Collins Photography is celebrated for its dreamy, romantic style—a popular choice for SJC brides.

Best Photobooth

This trend has become a wedding mainstay. Rarely now do you attend a wedding where a photo booth isn’t present to grant the best wedding favors there are—memories you may not even remember. Brides love Ro-Sham-Bo, voting it the number one photo booth rental company in the county. Second place went to The Original Selfie Booth for capturing fun moments with an array of custom options. In third place, Picture Me Entertainment has earned a reputation for satisfied brides, thanks in large part to their impeccable customer service.

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BEST INDOOR WEDDING VENUE

There’s no one-size-fits-all wedding venue for brides, but our readers spoke and we have to say, we’re satisfied with the results. Each of these wedding venues guarantees guests will have a good time. Brookside Country Club took the gold for its gorgeous golf course property and in-house catering. In Lodi, Wine & Roses transports guests to another world where first dances take place under twinkling lights and bride and groom (and all their friends) can stay on-site at the gorgeous property. Stockton Golf & Country Club boasts a large space for even the biggest weddings. Plus its location on the San Joaquin River makes for excellent photos.

BEST

OUTDOOR WEDDING VENUE

BEST WEDDING

RINGS

Your wedding day lasts just 24 hours, but that metal on your finger promises to be around for a lot longer! Whether you’re getting ready to propose, or need a wedding band for after those vows, Peck’s Jewelers is there to help you find the perfect piece, one you can live with for a lifetime. Gary J. Long Jewelers is a Stockton staple, serving the community as a family-owned business since 1983. If you stop in here to buy a diamond, Gary will tell you all about the four c’s (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight). Step into Danz Jewelers and you’ll have a guide to walk you through ring customization from choosing the setting to selecting the stone.

If you’re looking to say I Do outside, look no further than Wine & Roses in Lodi. The charming property oozes romance, with big towering oak trees and twinkling lights surrounding each walkway, not to mention property amenities from a pool to a spa that guests will love getting pampered in. Also in Lodi, Oak Farm Vineyards offers a true winery wedding, with the opportunity to say your vows amongst the vines, and of course enjoy a line-up of OF Wines. In Acampo, Viaggio Estate and Winery is a sprawling Italian-style property complete with an outdoor lawn and a romantic little swing for capturing photos. Plus, many options for set up to help make your wedding stand out.

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BEST OF THE BEST

PARENTING BEST BIRTHDAY

PARTY SPOT

When you’re ready to celebrate your littles, there’s no better place to turn than Ginger Bugs for a birthday party bash. At Ginger Bugs, the focus is on the birthday boy or girl and party hosts have three packages to choose from, with details curated to match your party theme. SkyZone is another top choice, featuring oversized trampolines and epic challenge courses for the whole family. Or, transport yourself to fairyland. The long-standing outdoor park dubbed Pixie Woods in Stockton features fun rides and interactive towns plus a vintage carousel.

BEST CHARTER/ PRIVATE SCHOOL Aspire Apex Academy ranked number one this year for best charter school in the county. The K-5 elementary prepares a diverse population of children for the next steps in their educational career, getting every student started on the right foot. For older students, Health Careers Academy focuses on high school students. Here, students looking to pursue a career in the field of medicine are offered curated curriculum to meet the unique needs of the industry. Stockton Collegiate International Schools serves under the mission of offering rigorous, relevant curriculum to prepare them for both post-secondary education and global citizenship.

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Best GYMNASTICS

Kids will flip for instruction at GymStars Gymnastics! Starting as young as 9 months old kids can get started in movement classes before taking their skills to new heights with high-flying gymnastics and competition teams for artistic performances. At Impact Sports Center everyone is welcome, including non-members during select drop-in times. Come for the fun, not the competition—at Impact it’s all about having a good time in the 9,000-squarefoot space. Step into the state-of-the-art facility at Champion Gymnastics where kids of all ages are invited to grow their gymnastics career. From beginners classes that cover the basics to competitive teams for the best of the best, there’s a little something for everyone at this Stockton gym.

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BEST CHILDREN’S BALLET

If you’re raising a prima ballerina, feed her desire to dance by enrolling in one of these SJ favorites. Stockton Ballet School not only has a line-up of instructional classes for dancers of all ages and skill levels, the ballet school also focuses on competitions to drive that competitive spirit. At Unique Visions Dance Company, aspiring dancers are under the care of Chelsea Hill, a talented dancer with a mixed background in both dance and childhood education. Kids of all ages can twirl to their heart’s content at Dance Connection. The Stockton studio starts ballet and lyrical dance classes at 4 years old and extends to young adults.

BEST

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Fashionistas get ready! Sassy Pants Boutique is serving up

colorful styles for the youngest fashion stars in our life. At its Lincoln Center location, the store is focused on providing the latest trends to even the littlest tikes. If you’re looking to get those goods at a bargain—kids grow fast after all!—step into Once Upon a Child in Tracy, the secondhand store sells fashions in a variety of sizes, gently worn and sold by local families. Rounding out the list is Willow Tree Children’s Boutique, a Lodi shop offering high-end, feel good clothes kids can play in, plus a selection of luxe accessories.

BEST CHILDREN’S DANCE STUDIO

Ge ready to DANCE! The options are seemingly endless at Unique Visions Dance Studio, serving up fun classes in a variety of disciplines including ballet, hip hop, and jazz. If ballet is your child’s specialty, turn to Stockton Ballet School. At Elevate Dance Studio, kids can participate in multiple disciplines before finding their niche, including lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. All three studios invite kids to join their competition teams, too!

Best Indoor Family Fun

Escape the heat and hide out indoors—these places are primed to get the whole family together and having fun. Be hands-on at SkyZone, a trampoline and challenge course built for the whole family. Or, sit back with a cup of coffee while the kiddos play at Ginger Bugs. If the focus is on sports, head to the Stockton Indoor Sports Complex where families can kick, skate, or spike. With an emphasis on roller hockey, it’s a great place to practice your skating skills, or sign up for a league.

Best

PRESCHOOL

Give your child the best start! Central Methodist Nursery School is a playbased Stockton facility offering a 1:6 adult to student ratio in a half-day, play-centered environment tailored to kids ages 2-5. Another church-based program, Vinewood Preschool in Lodi offers a way to prepare kids for kindergarten while focusing on mind, body, and spirit. Snell’s Pre-Kindergarten is the oldest privately-owned preschool in Stockton and a mainstay on our Best Of list. The school focuses on providing a balanced education with an emphasis on music and movement.

BEST CHILDREN’S

PHOTOGRAPHER

A picture is worth a thousand words and Sweet Sisters Photography is worth its weight in gold. Janda is a pro at capturing those special moments you’ll want to remember forever at every age and stage. Heather Jean at Heather Jean Photography made a name for herself in the wedding space before branching out into family photos and kid shots, as well. Caroline’s Photography offers a little bit of everything from portrait photography to corporate photography, but it’s the company’s family photos that customers are gushing about. Since 2010, when Caroline retired, it’s been Kevin Ricktik at the helm, an award-winning photographer with strong roots in SJC.

BEST

SUMMER DAY CAMP

Not sure where to send your kids for the summer? Keep boredom at bay with a local day camp to fill your brood’s spare time. Quail Lakes Baptist Church offers an all-inclusive camp for kids ages 3 through eighth grade. Although it couldn’t open this summer due to COVID-19 restrictions, it plans to host again in summer 2021.Tied in second place, Brookside Country Club offers a members-only day camp while Cornerstone Christian Preschool in Manteca provides summer care for the youngest campers.

Best Private School

For parents looking to embrace private school education for their brood, SJC offers a variety of choices. St. Mary’s High School ranks high for parents in Stockton who want their kids to have a head start in college prep. Cathedral of the Annunciation is another Catholic school in Stockton that pairs rigorous academics with spiritual teachings. For elementary students (through eighth grade), parents celebrate St. Luke’s School, a long-standing institution, for its continued dedication to tradition, values, and academics.

BEST

MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

There are so many types of martial arts, how do you know where to start? How about picking a top-rated gym for your kid’s first foray into the sport. Tibon’s Goju Ryu Fighting Arts earned the gold this year in our Best Of poll for its hard and soft style of karate, an expert mix of Chinese Kempo and Japanese straight-line fighting. The silver medal is handed down to Discovery Martial Arts where kids and adults can participate in a combination of self-defense and physical fitness including Muay Thai. Moore’s Martial Arts is taking home the bronze for its Shòu Shù practice, an ancient Chinese form of martial arts aimed at developing proper fighting skills as emulated by animals in the wild. SJMAG.COM

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NOW ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS!

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST CHILDREN’S DANCE STUDIO & BALLET SINCE 2015!

702 Porter Ave., Ste. B., Stockton

209.479.5384 www.UniqueVisionsDanceCompany.com We offer classes in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatic Dance, and Contemporary. UVDC is a structured yet positive environment where we strive for excellence in dance, community, school, family and life. We take pride that all students learn theatre and studio etiquette, terminology, history, and proper execution of dance steps in an environment that builds respect, poise and self-confidence; benefits that will be applied and utilized throughout their life. Certified by Examination (Level I,II, & III) in the Dance Educators of America Teacher Training and Certification Programs, Acrobatic Arts Module One Certified, Progressing Ballet Technique Certified, Dance Teacher University- Level I Certified.

The perfect balance of learning and play

• • • •

Safe, nurturing environment Enthusiastic and caring teachers Links to Learning curriculum Ongoing parent communication

Merryhill Preschool 6 Weeks – Pre-K • 10250 Trinity Parkway, Stockton, CA

MerryhillPreschoolStockton.com MH_SanJoaquin_Aug20_7.875x4.75.indd 1

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877-959-4187 7/2/20 9:58 AM

Thank you for voting us

Best Furniture Store (Modern) &

Best Interior Designer

429 L incol n Ce nt e r • Sto ck ton , C A 95207 • Te l. 209- 956- 9250 • www.c r porte r collection.com M o n d ay - F r i d ay 1 0 : 0 0 A M - 6 : 0 0 P M • S at u r d ay 1 0 : 0 0 A M - 6 : 0 0 P M • S u n d ay 1 2 : 0 0 P M - 5 : 0 0 P M

EFFORTLESS HOME IMPROVEMENT®

S H O P S M AR T • S H O P LO C A L Remodeling at it’s Best! CUSTOM BLINDS

BEST BATH REMODEL

INTERIOR DESIGN

BEST KITCHEN REMODEL

(209) 334-4060 • 2303 S. STOCKTON ST. • LODI • CLASSICDESIGN-INTERIORS.COM

Contractor’s Lic. #886537 SJMAG.COM

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BEST OF THE BEST

HOME BEST AIR CONDITIONING/ HEATING Summer in San Joaquin County is HOT, so when it comes to having your cooling (and heating) needs met, residents put their trust in the experts. Lovotti Inc. has built a report with customers since 2006, serving the Stockton community and beyond with a variety of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and refrigeration services. Queirolo’s Heating & Air takes pride in its ability to offer SJC residents honest service, comfort solutions, and superior indoor air quality with an emphasis on efficiency and quality. For more than 50 years, Rod Johnson Air Conditioning has been a go-to for Central Valley home owners, offering a slew of related services including AC repair, HVAC needs, and solar panel installation.

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BEST FLOORING SHOP

When it comes to replacing the floors in your home, there are a lot of difficult decisions to make, but choosing a quality flooring shop shouldn’t be one of them. Vineyard Floors offers a unique model—a mobile showroom that brings the flooring shop to you. Embrace technology with the experts at Raphael Hardwood Flooring in Lodi using the online Room Visualizer to help make those tough decisions. Or, call up Classic Design Interiors, the one-stop-shop for all your home needs. With the help of a sales associate, you can browse options ranging from carpet to hardwood and everything in between.

Best Custom Blinds

Windows are hardly one-size fits all. Add some pizazz to your home with custom blinds. Don’t be stunted by a lack of options. At Discovery Shutters, homeowners can choose from an array of Hunter Douglas products including sheers, shadings, honeycomb shades, shutters, horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, Roman shades, roller shades, and woven wood shades. Budget Blinds sells and installs a collection of custom options with the personal touch of an interior design professional. At Classic Design Interiors, the goal is to make custom blind selection and installation effortless, offering award-winning design and service.

BEST ANTIQUE STORE

If you dream of having a house filled with pieces your neighbors can’t buy from the same big box store, then shopping at an antique shop just may be the pastime for you. Voters have spoken and Hubba Hubba Antiques reigns supreme. With collections of art, furniture, and more housed inside the Pacific Avenue shop, collectors will go crazy for the constantly evolving inventory. Secondhand Rose has a reputation for selling vintage furniture, but that’s only a sampling of what the downtown Lodi gem offers. Step in for frames of all sizes, colorful appliances, mis-matched dishes, and more. New & Again Consignment Furniture Gallery takes a slightly different approach to their business model, but the end result is the same—a showroom brimming with hidden treasures.

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

BEST MODERN

FURNITURE STORE

With so many aesthetics to choose from, no two homes are the same, but that can also make finding furniture to match your personal style a big game of hide-and-go-seek. If you’re looking for modern pieces to compliment your décor, turn to Minerva’s Furniture Gallery. The expansive showroom is stuffed with exquisite pieces for every room in your home. C.R. Porter in Stockton’s Lincoln Square is constantly refreshing its charming space, which includes over-sized chairs, coffee tables, end tables, and other eye-catching pieces. At Thornton House Furniture, a team of interior designers help customers choose the best pieces, made to stand the test of time.

BEST HOME BUILDER

Best Mattress Shop

Catch some ZZZ’s without counting sheep. A quality mattress is one of the key ingredients to sleeping well and staying healthy. At Mancini’s Sleepworld, all major mattress brands are represented, and a guarantee to beat any price by 10 percent makes it a top choice for those in the market for a new mattress. Since 2014, Mattress Firm has served San Joaquin County at multiple locations throughout the region meeting customer needs with a varied inventory of top brands. For an individualized sleep experience—and a mattress created to serve your sleeping needs—Sleep Number rounds out the list of favorites, offering the ever-popular Sleep Number system to San Joaquinians after a good night’s rest.

BEST

In the market for a new home? Choose a homebuilder with a great local reputation. Caresco Homes is building new communities in Woodbridge, Manteca, and North Stockton. FCB Homes is selling brand-new family homes in Stockton, Lodi, and Manteca. And, Grupe Homes is building out multiple communities in Lodi.

SOLAR COMPANY

Whether the goal is to reduce monthly energy costs, cash in on tax credits, or simply do something good for the environment, solar companies are outfitting roofs in SJC as fast as they can. Rod Johnson Air Conditioning is installing solar panels and offering free consultations in Stockton, BTA Solar serves both the residential and business communities with their integrated photovoltiac roofing systems, and Vivint Solar is an American solar company with a local branch in Stockton, serving San Joaquin customers focused on renewable energy solutions.

Best Interior Designer

Making a home look spectacular inside and out is a team effort. Build your team with the best in the business. Kathleen Jennison is at the helm of KTJ Design and locals who have benefitted from her stylings are very verbal about the positive experience. Classic Design Interiors does it all, with designers on staff to help you select the best pieces for decorating a new space or revamping an old one. The owners—and staff—behind C.R. Porter are beloved for their tasteful eye, curating a Lincoln Center showroom to showcase everything from furniture to stemware.

BEST KITCHEN REMODELING

Did you know that a kitchen is one of the best places to sink money into a home? That’s because kitchen remodels offer perhaps the biggest return on investment when you go to sell. Classic Interior Designs is there to help every step of the way, from new sinks to new countertops. Kelly’s Kitchen & Bath will remodel your kitchen from top to bottom, beginning to end, helping with everything from gutting a space to installing the finishing touches. The masonry contractor Trevizo Tile & Stone is a great place to start when getting ready to redo a kitchen, creating pristine backsplashes with tasteful designs, quality countertops, and more, treating tile installation as a work of art instead of simply a service.

BEST GARDEN/OUTDOOR STORE

Just because it’s going outside doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be spectacular. With Garden Flair, the outdoor store doing the most, is all about bringing indoor chic to outdoor spaces from the patio to the garden. Peruse the wide variety of planters, outdoor furniture, décor, gifts, and more. At In Season, locals can grab plants and planting kits to bring their gardens to life. The Stockton business also supports local, bringing organic and natural products to the community. Family-owned and operated Lopez Imports stocks its shelves with everything from clay planters to fountains of every size. Plus, there’s a special collection dedicated to Day of the Dead décor.

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BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS Food

BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT Market Tavern Midgley’s Public House Porter’s Pub (tie) Brick House Restaurant and Lounge (tie) BEST APPETIZERS Midgley’s Pubic House Market Tavern Brick House Restaurant and Lounge (tie) West Oak Nosh (tie) BEST BBQ Fat City Brew & BBQ Tin Roof BBQ & Catering Shorter’s BBQ BEST BAKERY Fizz Bakery M & W Dutch American Bakery Corner Scone Bakery BEST BAR FOOD Midgley’s Public House Porter’s Pub AVE on the Mile BEST BREAKFAST SPOT Chuck’s Hamburgers Avenue Grille Denis’ Country Kitchen

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST CHINESE RESTAURANTS’S IN SAN JOAQUIN! HEALTHY DELICIOUS TOP QUALITY MEALS THE FRESHEST VEGETABLES Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 7pm Take Out Only

209.957.0617

7555 Pacific Ave., Stockton • www.pekingstockton.com

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BEST CLASSIC BURGER Bob’s at the Marina Flip’s Burgers Squeeze Burger & Brew BEST SPECIALTY BURGER Market Tavern Midgley’s Public House Squeeze Burger BEST CASUAL DINING Prime Table El Rancho Inn – Steak & Lobster House The Kitchen at Stonebrier BEST CAJUN RESTAURANT The Cajun Spot Blazin Cajun The Crab Zone BEST CATERER Angelina’s Spaghetti House Fagundes Meats & Catering De Parsia's Restaurant & Catering BEST CHEF Michael Midgley Chris Isert John Surla BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT Dave Wong’s Restaurant Yen Du Peking

BEST BRUNCH Market Tavern The Dancing Fox Cast Iron Trading Co. Bud’s Seafood Grille

BEST CLAM CHOWDER Bud’s Seafood Grille Midgley’s Public House Seafood Express

BEST BUFFALO WINGS Smitty’s Wings & Things Lord of the Wings Fire Wings

BEST CHEESE PLATE/ CHARCUTERIE BOARD Market Tavern Mile Wine Company Cheese Central

Thank You for Voting us the best Appetizer, Bar Food, Happy Hour, Clam Chowder, American Restaurant, Burger Specialty, Fine Dining, Outdoor Patio Dining, Craft Cocktail, Steak, Prime Rib and Chef Michael Midgley #1 Chef in San Joaquin county for the 6th year in a row!

296 Lincoln Center ● Stockton

(209) 474-7700 midgleyspublichouse.com

Now Available for Catering Big SUNDAY – THURSDAY: LUNCH 11:30-4 • DINNER 4-9 FR IDAY & SATURDAY: LUNCH 11:30-4 • DINNER 4-10

& Small! SJMAG.COM

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BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS

Best Bakery

Best Tea Room

Thank You for Voting Us 1 for Best Tea Room & One of the Best Bakeries! 310 N. California St. | Lodi and 322 N. California St.| Lodi

209.747.3418

BEST DELI Gian’s Delicatessen Podesto’s Market Genova’s Bakery

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT Tandoori Nites Swagat Indian Cuisine Dhaba Indian Cuisine

BEST DESSERT Nothing Bundt Cakes House of Ice Cream Dream Ice Cream Parlor

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT (NOT PIZZA) Pietro’s Trattoria Angelina’s Spaghetti House DeVega Brothers

BEST FARMER’S MARKET Lodi’s Farmer’s Market Downtown Tracy Farmer’s Market The Downtown Stockton Certified Farmer’s Market

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT Komachi Sushi Mikasa Japanese Bistro Cocoro Japanese Bistro & Sushi

BEST FILIPINO RESTAURANT Best Lumpia Papa Urb’s Grill Island Gourmet Restaurant & Market BEST FINE DINING Prime Table Midgley’s Public House Papapavlo’s BEST FOOD TRUCK Port City Burgers A Moveable Feast Chase the Smell BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT Tigers Yogurt Honey Treat Yogurt Shoppe Segale’s Double Dip Gallery

Stockton 128 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 957-2253

NothingBundtCakes.com 10/1/20

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BEST HAPPY HOUR Midgley’s Public House West Oak Nosh Bistro 135 BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE Artesian Health Food Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center Green’s Nutrition

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT Octavio’s El Pazcifico Mexican Grill & Cantina Nena’s Mexican (tie) Don Luis Mexican Restaurant (tie) BEST NEW RESTAURANT Brick House Restaurant & Lounge Lord of the Wings German Guys (tie) Tasty Pot (tie) BEST OUTDOOR/PATIO DINING Garlic Brothers Pietro’s Trattoria Midgley’s Public House BEST PHO SOUP Mama’s Pho & Sandwiches Saigon Bay Pho Lucky Noodle House BEST PIZZA RESTAURANT David’s Pizza Michael’s New York Style Dante’s California Style Pizza and Café

Authentic Ramen Noodle Bar Thank You for Voting us Best Ramen House

Soba, Miso, Tonkotsu and More! Authentic Japanese Curry rice, Vegetarian Options, Appetizers, Salads & Desserts!

3202 Pacific Ave. Stockton, California 95204

BUY 5 MEALS

209-395-0188

facebook.com/yujinramen

ALL MEALS ARE FRESH FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS UPON PICK UP OR DELIVERY

GET ONE FREE Expires 8/31/20

HEALTHY MEALS ON-THE-GO FOR EVERYONE! 405 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA.

FIND OUT MORE AT LEANFEAST.COM SJMAG.COM

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST

BEST OF THE BEST

NEW RESTAURANTS OPENING IN 2019

2020 WINNERS 10438 E Waterloo Rd. ● Stockton

(209) 990-1391

Wed. & Thurs. 11:30am - 8pm q Fri. & Sat. 11:30am - 9pm q Sun. 11:30am - 8pm

BEST RAMEN Yujin Ramen & Noodle Bar TOKYO Ramen Misaki Sushi

BEST BREWERY Five Window Beer Co. Lodi Beer Co. High Water Brewing

BEST SALAD Whirlow’s Tossed & Grilled The Downtowner Bud’s Seafood Grille

BEST BLOODY MARY Market Tavern West Oak Nosh AVE on the Mile

BEST SANDWICHES Podesto’s Market Gian’s Delicatessen Genova Bakery

BEST CRAFT BEER PUB Lodi Beer Co. Five Window Beer Co. Taps Barrel House

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Bud’s Seafood Grille Ray’s Chicken & Fish Mart Seafood Express

BEST CRAFT COCKTAIL Market Tavern Midgley’s Public House Rosewood Bar & Grill

BEST STEAK/PRIME RIB Prime Table El Rancho Inn – Steak & Lobster House Midgley’s Public House

BEST LOCAL COFFEE SPOT Empresso Coffeehouse House of Coffees Barista’s

BEST SUSHI Mikasa Japanese Bistro Komachi Sushi M Sushi Bistro BEST TACOS Casa Flores Tacos Chapala Don Luis’ Mexican Restaurant BEST THAI CUISINE Siamese Street Thai Restaurant Thai Me Up Thai Spices BEST WAFFLES American Waffle House Disco’s Waffle on a Stick Cast Iron Trading Co

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BEST MARGARITA Octavio’s La Palma El Pazcifico Grill and Cantina BEST TEA ROOM The Hidden Tea Room Blossom Tea Room T4 – Tea for U BEST SPARKLING WINE Weibel Winery Delicato Family Wines LVVR Sparkling Cellars BEST WINE MENU Mile Wine Company Michael David Winery Market Tavern (tie) Woodbridge Uncorked (tie)

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANTS & TACOS!

Serving Breakfast, lunch & Dinner 5940 CA-99, Stockton Frontage Rd. Off Hammer Lane (209) 931-9163

Fine Mexican Cuisine

Dine In q New Patio Dining To Go q Curb Side Pickup & Drink Specials Call Us About Our Catering Menu!

Visit Us Monday – Sunday 7am – 9pm • www.donluismexicanrestaurant.com SJMAG.COM | AUGUST 2020 119

BEST OF THE BEST •V

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US THE BEST COSMETIC DENTIST

2020 WINNERS BEST WINE TASTING ROOM Oak Farm Vineyards Michael David Winery Harney Lane Winery BEST WINE CLUB Michael David Winery Oak Farm Vineyards Harney Lane Winery

Read our 750+  Reviews at: SmilesDoctor.com

BEST ZINFANDEL Michael David Winery Harney Lane Winery Macchia

HEALTH

BEST ALLERGIST Allergy Immunology & Asthma Medical Group Dr. Dennis W. Delpaine, M.D Dr. Jun Lu, M.D., of Sutter Gould Medical Group

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

You will appreciate the personal service that each patient receives from Dr. Lester Low and the caring staff. Their commitment for excellence will make each visit a positive experience towards good health. Don’t like going to the Dentist? I LOVE going to my Dentist! “Thank you Dr. Low for the excellent dental care I get from you and your staff. You, Dr. Low, are also an artist. I say this with conviction when I smile in the mirror.” — Alexia M.

Dr. Lester Low, D.D.S. 3133 West March Lane | Suite 1090 | Stockton

209.474.3333

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BEST CHIROPRACTOR Hayes Chiropractic Tom Paige Chiropractic Dr. Edmund Zeiter Jr., D.C. BEST COSMETIC SURGERY Vu Plastic Surgery McNemar Cosmetic Surgery Dr. Kimberly Cockerham, M.D. BEST CROSSFIT STUDIO Another Level CrossFit CrossFit 209 Sport CFT Fitness BEST DAY SPA The Spa at Wine & Roses Perfect Balance Day Spa Elevate Skincare and Spa by Kym with a Y BEST COSMETIC DENTIST Dr. Lester Low, DDS Dr. Todd A. Franklin Martin Dentistry

BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics Dr. Ronald S. Noriesta, D.D.S Martin Dentistry BEST ORTHODONTIST Dr. Cameron R. Wheeler of Wheeler Orthodontics Samra Orthodontics Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics BEST DERMATOLOGIST/SKIN DOCTOR Dr. Stuart Jacobs Quail Lakes Dermatology Dr. Abdallah Khourdaji BEST EYE CARE/OPTOMETRIST Brookside Optometric Group Zeiter Eye Medical Group Midtown Optometry BEST FACIAL The Spa at Wine & Roses Elevate Skincare and Spa by Kym with a Y Perfect Balance Day Spa BEST FAMILY HEALTH PRACTICE Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Kaiser Permanente Dignity Health Medical Group BEST FITNESS CLASSES Twin Arbors Health Club In-Shape Health Clubs F4 Fitness (tie) Shine Cycle+Yoga+ Barre (tie) BEST HAIR STYLIST (INDIVIDUAL) Exclusive Beauty Salon’s DeAnjanae Binder Sara Gallagher at Pomp Salon Cecilie Chavarria of Exclusive Beauty Salon (tie) Tiffany Gomez Bridal Hair and Makeup (tie)

Thank You! FOR ALL THE COMMUNITY AND CLIENT SUPPORT KEMPER CPA GROUP IS HERE TO HELP WITH ALL OF YOUR TAX, ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL NEEDS Accounting, Audit & Tax • Technology Consulting Payroll & Time Management • Medical Billing Wealth Management • Retirement Plan Services

3031 West March Lane, Suite 133 South. (209) 473-2001

•

Stockton, CA 95219

www.kempercpa.com

Delta Humane Society & SPCA is in need of:

Thank You For Voting Us Monetary Donations Delta Humane One Of Society The Best& SPCA Large Dog Bedding is in need of: & SPCA Animal Shelter/Adoptions Delta Recuses/ Humane Society

Monetary Donations Dry/Wet Dog & of: Cat &Food Delta Humane Society SPCA is in need Large Bedding isBlankets inDog need of: Monetary Donations Dry/Wet DogDonations & Cat Food Monetary Large Bedding ToysDog & Treats Blankets Large Dog Bedding Dry/Wet & Cat Food Toys & Treats Dry/Wet Dog & Cat Food Blankets

Please Bring All Donations to: Blankets Toys & Treats

4590 Please S. HwyBring 99, All Stockton, CAto: 95215 Toys & Treats Donations Please Bring Donations to: 4590 S. Hwy 99, All Stockton, CA 95215 Please Bring All Donations to: 4590 S. Hwy 99,are Stockton, CA 95215 All Donations Appreciated!

4590 Hwy 99, are Stockton, CA 95215 All S. Donations Appreciated! All Donations are Appreciated! All Donations are Appreciated!

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BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS BEST HAIR SALON STUDIO Pomp Salon Exclusive Beauty Salon Alter Custom Hair

BEST MASSAGE THERAPY The Spa at Wine & Roses Perfect Balance Day Spa Elevate Skincare and Spa by Kym with a Y

BEST HEALTH CLUB (MULTIPLE LOCATIONS) In-Shape Health Club Planet Fitness 24 Hour Fitness

BEST MEDICAL SUPPLY STORE The Bone Store Reich’s Medical Supply American Med

BEST HEALTH CLUB (SINGLE LOCATION) Twin Arbors Sports Club F4 Fitness Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre

BEST OB-GYN Gill OB/GYN Medical Group Dr. Bhagya Nakka, M.D. Dr. Philip Dodd, MD

BEST HEARING CENTER Stockton Hearing & Speech Center American Hearing Aids University of the Pacific Hearing and Balance Center

BEST ORTHOPEDICS Alpine Orthopaedic Medical Group Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Dr. Bliss W. Clark, M.D

BEST HOSPITAL St. Joseph's Medical Center Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital Kaiser Permanente Manteca Medical Center

BEST PILATES STUDIO Now and Zen Yoga Studio Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre Studio Joy

BEST HOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE Hospice of San Joaquin Community Hospice of San Joaquin VITAS Healthcare BEST INDEPENDENT PHARMACY Hammer Lane Pharmacy Pacific Compounding Pharmacy Herold K. Reich’s Pharmacy BEST LASIK EYE SURGERY Zeiter Eye Medical Group Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center Brookside Optometric Group

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY COMPANY Central Valley Physical Therapy Pine Street Physical & Occupational Therapy Golden Bear Physical Therapy and Sports Injury Center BEST SKILLED NURSING FACILITY Meadowood Creekside Center Somerford Place of Stockton BEST TANNING SALON Planet Beach Havatan Sunny Daze Tanning & Salon BEST YOGA STUDIO Shine Cycle +Yoga + Barre Now and Zen Yoga Studio True You Hot Yoga

Thank you for Voting us #1 Health Food Store!

NATURAL FOODS Vitamins • Supplements • Specialty Foods Gluten-free, Raw Dairy, Local Products, Healthy Snacks & So Much More! Knowledgeable, Friendly Staff 145 Lincoln Center (209) 952-8787 www.artesiannaturalfoods.com M-F 9:00am-5:30pm, Sat 9:30am-6:00pm, Sun 10:00pm-3:00pm

“WE ARE STAYING SAFE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID” Face masks are required • Social distancing Temperature checks are taken for all employees and patients • Limited Seating in waiting room WE SPECIALIZE IN EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF:

Environmental, Food, Drug, and Insect Sting Allergies ∙ Hay Fever ∙ Sinus Disease ∙ Anaphylaxis Chronic Respiratory Conditions ∙ Asthma ∙ Allergic Skin Conditions such as hives and eczema

STOCKTON ∙ LODI ∙ MANTECA TRACY ∙ MODESTO SAN ANDREAS ∙ SONORA ∙ ELK GROVE A L L E R GY I M M UNOLOGY & A S T HM A MEDICAL GROUP

Thank You For Voting Us Best Allergist

Four Years In A Row!

ALLERG Y I M M U Nat O L(209) O G Y & 951-5353 ASTHMA Contact our main office location to schedule an EDICAL GROUP appointment nearest youMor visit us on: www.allergyimm.com

A L L E R GY I M M UNOLOGY & A S T HM A

MEDICAL GROUP

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Stockton Urgent Care Medical Clinic Inc. Stockton Urgent Care Medical Clinic and Family Practice has had the proud honor of serving the Stockton community for over 35 years. Dr. Nicholas Birlew and His Healthcare Staff would like to say THANK YOU to our Fellow Front line and Essential Workers for the continued dedication and sacrifice made for the Greater Stockton Community during these challenging times. Stockton Urgent Care Medical Clinic has steadfastly remained open and diligently serving our patients since this crisis started. We aspire to continue being your protector from illness and advocate for your ongoing good health now and always. With heartfelt appreciation, it is hoped that Stockton Urgent Care Medical Clinic and Family Practice will be able to continue to participate in the Stockton Community’s health care for many years to come.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST IN URGENT CARE! 1148 W. Hammer Lane,Stockton Phone: 209-952-9696 THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST AUTO SHOPS IN SAN JOAQUIN!

BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS BEST URGENT CARE Sutter Gould Urgent Care Trinity Urgent Stockton Urgent Care

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER KTJ Design Classic Design Interiors C.R. Porter

BEST WEIGHT LOSS/CONTROL PROGRAM Weight Watchers Diet Center Physicians Weight Clinic

BEST KITCHEN REMODELING Classic Interior Designs Kelly’s Kitchen & Bath Trevizo Tile & Stone

HOME

BEST MATTRESS SHOP Mancini’s Sleepworld Mattress Firm Sleep Number

BEST AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING Lovotti Inc. Queirolo’s Heating & Air Rod Johnson Air Conditioning BEST ANTIQUE STORE Hubba Hubba Antiques Secondhand Rose New & Again Consignment Furniture Gallery BEST CUSTOM BLINDS/SHUTTERS Discovery Shutters Budget Blinds Classic Design Interiors

Before

After

“May we have the next Dents?” Taking Care of Cars & the People Who Drive Them

Services We Provide: • Accident Repairs, Dents • Glass Replacement, Scratches • Rust, Auto Body Restoration

Call today for a free estimate!

CO-OWNER VINNY

Aurora Collision Center • 810 S. Monroe Street Stockton

209-465-2636 www.auroracollision1.com

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BEST FLOORING SHOP Vineyard Floors Raphael Hardwood Flooring Classic Design Interiors BEST MODERN FURNITURE SHOP Minerva’s Furniture Gallery C.R. Porter Thornton House Furniture BEST GARDEN/OUTDOOR SPACE With Garden Flair In Season Lopez Imports BEST HOME BUILDER Caresco Homes FCB Homes Grupe Homes

BEST SOLAR COMPANY Rod Johnson Air Conditioning BTA Solar Vivint Solar

PARENTING BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY SPOT Ginger Bugs SkyZone Pixie Woods BEST CHARTER/PRIVATE SCHOOL Aspire Apex Academy Health Careers Academy Stockton Collegiate International Schools BEST CHILDREN’S BALLET Stockton Ballet School Unique Visions Dance Company Dance Connection BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING Sassy Pants Boutique Once Upon a Child Willow Tree Children’s Boutique

At Wheeler Orthodontics our #1 goal is to provide the highest quality orthodontic care in a family-based, high-technology practice. We offer a unique orthodontic experience that is fun, affordable, interactive, and effective. We maintain the most advanced procedures and equipment available, including digital radiography, digital photography, and advanced computer graphics, to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile.

Cameron R. Wheeler, DDS, MS Board Certified Orthodontist 4568 Feather River Dr., Ste. D,Stockton PHONE: 209.951.0151 • FAX: 209.951.1235 www.wheelerortho.com THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST ORTHODONTIST IN SAN JOAQUIN

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BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS BEST CHILDREN’S DANCE STUDIO Unique Visions Dance Studio Stockton Ballet School Elevate Dance Studio BEST GYMNASTICS GymStars Gymnastics Impact Sports Center Champion Gymnastics BEST INDOOR FAMILY FUN SkyZone Ginger Bugs Stockton Indoor Sports Complex BEST MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL Tibon’s Goju Ryu Fighting Arts Discovery Martial Arts Moore’s Martial Arts BEST CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHER Sweet Sisters Photography Heather Jean Photography Caroline’s Photography

Sweet Sisters

P hotography

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHER IN SAN JOAQUIN

BEST PRESCHOOL Central Methodist Nursey School Vinewood Preschool Snell’s Pre-Kindergarten BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL St. Mary’s High School Cathedral of the Annunciation St. Luke’s School

8825 Thornton Road Suite A. Stockton, CA 95209

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SERVICES BEST ACCOUNTANT Iacopi, Lenz & Co Kemper CPA Group All About Numbers BEST ANIMAL RESCUE / SHELTER / ADOPTION Stockton Animal Shelter PALS Delta Humane Society (tie) Animal Friends Connection Humane Society (tie)

sweetsistersphotography@hotmail.com

PLAY BEST ART GALLERY Haggin Museum Double Dip Gallery Lodi Community Art Center

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BEST AUTO BODY SHOP All Foreign & Domestic Body Shop Aurora Collision Center American Auto Body

Serving the Stockton area for 37 years. George Azevedo Jr. Agent Insurance Lic#: 0505345 718 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207 Bus: 209-474-3285

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While other insurers just see your home and car as a bundle

718 Lincoln Thanks, for Center voting us best in San or a combo deal, IJoaquin. take the time Stockton, CA 95207 Bus: 209-474-3285 to see what you I love being here to help life they go mean rightto in and give them the protection a community where people are making a they deserve. LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S you TALK TODAY. difference every day. Thank for all you do.

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for once again choosing us as a Best of San Joaquin winner! We are honored and committed to bringing you the best solution for all your heating and air needs!

Thank you for Voting us one of the best in Air Conditioning/Heating in San Joaquin!

Robert P. Queirolo - Never Forgotten

David R. Queirolo - Owner

(209) 464-9658

www.queirolos.com

1755 W. Hammer Lane,

(209)477-4363

Ste. 3,

Stockton

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Tibon’s

lts achieve College and University Degre es,

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and the m ha ve gra of du ate d Hig h Sc ho ol! No con tac ts! Ca ll for mo re inf orm ati on !

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We are working with all Charter Schools with P.E. Alternatives programs

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BEST OF THE BEST

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BEST HOTEL Wine & Roses University Plaza Waterfront Hotel Hilton – Stockton

BEST INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE AGENT Farmers Insurance Agent Ryan Turner State Farm’s George Azevedo Jr. State Farm’s Jon Rader BEST LAW FIRM Neumiller & Beardslee Shore, McKinley, Conger & Jolley, LLP Kroloff, Belcher, Smart, Perry & Christopherson BEST LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association St. Mary's Dining Room BEST PEST CONTROL COMPANY Clark Pest Control Delk Pest Control Advanced Integrated Pest Management BEST PET BOARDING Sycamore Lane Kennels The Canine Culture Pet Magic Groom & Board BEST PET SPA 209 Club Pet Paw My Heart Mobile Pet Spa The Canine Culture BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM RE/MAX Gold Grupe Real Estate Keller Williams Realty BEST INDIVIDUAL REALTOR Lance McHan Beth Calder Michelle Haner

John McKinley

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John Conger

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE

OF THE BEST LAW FIRMS IN SAN JOAQUIN!

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www.mcjglaw.com • 209-477-8171 3031 W. March Lane, Suite 230, Stockton

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE!

San Joaquin Magazine’s 2020

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST DOG TRAINER IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY! We are committed to providing dog owners with the knowledge and skills they need to communicate with their dogs. This will enable them to develop a close, healthy bond with their canine friend. This relationship is critical in ensuring that the human-canine partnership is maintained & dog behavior issues don’t lead to owners giving up on their dog.

BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS BEST SENIOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY O'Connor Woods Astoria Senior Living The Commons at Union Ranch BEST TATTOO STUDIO Emerald Tattoo & Piercing Union Tattoo & Piercing 12 Monkeys Tattoo

209-740-7420 q bfdogtraining.com

BEST VETERINARY CLINIC Sierra Veterinary Clinic Walker Veterinary Hospital Jules Veterinary Center

SHOPPING BEST AUTO DEALERSHIP Chase Chevrolet Mercedes Benz of Stockton Big Valley Ford Lincoln

WE’RE THE BEST BECAUSE OF you!

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S TO C K TO N ’ S P R E M I E R E S H O P P I N G & D I N I N G PA C I F I C AV E N U E AT B E N J A M I N H O LT D R I V E L I N CO L N C E N T E R S H O P S .CO M

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BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP My Best Friend’s Closet Once Upon a Child New & Again Consignment Furniture Gallery BEST DESIGNER EYEWEAR/ EYE GLASS STORE Great Spectacles Brookside Optometry Midtown Optometry BEST FASHIONABLE ACCESSORIES Bellissima Boutique Fashion Safari FINA BEST GIFT SHOP Best Wishes The Owl Box Regalo Bello

BEST FINE JEWELRY Gary J. Long Jewelers Peck’s Jewelers Devon’s BEST MUSIC STORE Music Go Round Main Street Music Bill’s Music BEST PET SUPPLIES Carter’s Pet Mart Petco PetSmart BEST PLACE TO BUY MOTORCYCLES Eagle’s Nest Harley Davidson Dream Rides Motorcycle Repair Tracy Motorsports BEST SHOPPING CENTER/MALL Lincoln Center Weberstown Mall Sherwood Mall BEST SPECIALTY STORE The Bone Store Regalo Bello Mia Bella’s Boutique BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE Lilou of the Valley Pawtastic Thrift Boutique Crossroads Trading BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE FINA Bellissima Boutique Theadora BEST WOMEN’S SHOES BOUTIQUE Dennis Shea Shoes FINA Bellissima Boutique

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR

LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO VOTED US ONE OF THE BEST AUTO DEALERSHIPS IN

SAN JOAQUIN!

The Kitto Family has been cleaning clothes for Stockton since 1916. Pictured is Bert Kitto with two of his delivery vehicles. Jeff Kitto continues the legacy of cleaning clothes for Stockton.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1 DRY CLEANER IN SAN JOAQUIN! 1762 W. Hammer Ln. Stockton 209-477-4397

Parkwoods

6503 pacific Ave. Stockton 209-476-1602

Cleaners

1901 Country Club Blvd. Stockton 209-464-2181

Thank you for voting us one of the best in Animal Rescue /Shelter/Adoption!

2819 W. March Ln. Stockton 209-472-0281

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BEST OF THE BEST

2020 WINNERS WEDDING BEST WEDDING CAKE Frosted Flour Fizz Bakery SweetArts BEST FORMALWEAR/TUXEDO Tuxedos of Lodi The Elizabeth Bridal JFY Formal BEST WEDDING CATERER Angelina’s Spaghetti House Brookside Country Club Smokin' Yankee’s BBQ Catering BEST WEDDING DJ Elite Entertainment Marquis Entertainment Art of Sound BEST WEDDING DRESS/BRIDAL SHOP Sheryl Giles Bridal The Elizabeth Bridal Maggie’s Bridal & Formal BEST WEDDING FLOWERS Silveria’s Flowers & Gifts Huckleberry Blooms Charter Way Florist .

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST DESIGNER EYE WEAR!

BEST LIMO/PARTY BUS Aurora Limousine Service Luxor Coach Limousine Vintage Limousine Service BEST WEDDING SUPPLY RENTAL Guiffra’s Party Rentals Bella Festa Stockton Supplies

622 Lincoln Center • 955-7570 Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m

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BEST PHOTOBOOTH Ro-Sham-Bo The Original Selfie Booth Picture Me Entertainment

BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER Briggs Photography Jon & Jess Photography Amanda Collins Photography BEST WEDDING RINGS Peck’s Jewelers Gary J. Long Jewelers Danz Jewelers BEST INDOOR WEDDING VENUE Brookside Country Club Wine & Roses Stockton Golf & Country Club BEST OUTDOOR WEDDING VENUE Wine & Roses Oak Farm Vineyards Viaggio Estate and Winery

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O’CONNOR WOODS

Discover O’Connor Woods, a gated, resort-style nonprofit continuing care retirement community celebrating 30 years, nestled in the northern San Joaquin Valley. Offering a resident-centered lifestyle that fosters life-enrichment and well-being. Life at O’Connor Woods means choice, freedom, and support. Enjoy fresh farm-to-fork cuisine, a variety of wellness programs to help keep you connected and active, and a full continuum of care services should your health needs change, including assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing.

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209-841-0267 | oconnorwoods.org

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COMPLIMENTARY C O N S U LTAT I O N

Owners, Rod & Angela Smith

CA Contractors License #969425

Locally owned & Operated CA

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Abodes

Summer is the time to be outside. Cool

GORGEOUS

GARDENS CARING FOR YOUR AUGUST GARDEN

mornings with a cup of coffee, late night dinners served outside with family. Regardless of the occasion, or lack thereof, these are the months to spend enjoying your outdoor space. Our home section this month is dedicated to those spaces, whether you’re looking to plant new florals, create your own backyard butterfly garden, need tips for warding off garden pests, or just want a proper to-do list for August. We’ve consulted the experts to bring you the best information on caring for your August garden. Flip through to learn more. SJMAG.COM

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abodes

GOODBYE

Garden Pests LEARN ABOUT WHAT’S LURKING IN YOUR GARDEN  BY MEGAN MEINTASIS

Few things are more frustrating to a gardener than watching a perfectly healthy plant begin to wilt, yellow, mold, spot, or get chewed on. Often times, if the perpetrator of these offenses is left for too long, the plant will need to be regularly treated. Fortunately, many garden pests can be healed with solutions completely harmless to pets and

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humans. We consulted with local garden expert and owner of In Season Nursery in Stockton, Julie Morehouse, on the most common garden pests, and how to treat them safely and effectively. Mealy Bug A tiny white wingless bug that measures between a sixteenth and an eighth of an inch long. These little pests like to live

AUGUST 2020 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

in crevices where leaves overlap, and feed by using their long mouthparts to suck sap out of the plant’s tissue. This can cause the plant to experience yellow leaves, stunted growth, and die back. Solution: Spray them with a simple soap and water solution, then rinse with water. Follow-up treatments may be necessary. Be sure to check all your other plants as mealy

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bugs spread easily. Scale This hard-shelled insect is particularly fond of citrus trees and other woodystemmed plants where it remains in one place, feeding on sap, and secreting the excess. Scale has a mutualistic relationship with the ant, who happily harvests its sugary secretions. When the secretions are left on the plant, it can result in a black sooty mold growth. If not treated, this will eventually inhibit the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Solution: Spray with a mixture of Neem oil, an organic pesticide that’s good for treating various pests and diseases, and water. You may have to treat with soap and water, as well, to minimize the mold.

watering. You can also treat them with Neem oil. Be sure to spray the underside of leaves. Budworms are little green caterpillars that are commonly found on leafy green plants like petunias and geraniums. They live their entire life on the plant until they make a cocoon and fly away. If not treated, they will eat your flowers from the inside out. Solution: You can handpick them off when you see them, or they can be sprayed with a certified organic product called BT caterpillar killer. This product is harmless to humans and animals, and deadly to chewing insects like caterpillars.

Whitefly You know you have a white fly problem when brushing up on your plant results in little white flies fluttering everywhere. White flies like to live on the underside of plant leaves where they feed by sucking chlorophyll out of the plant. These little pests thrive in areas that are cool and moist, with poor air circulation. Solution: First, see if you can control the moisture issue by reducing

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Fungus Gnats are pesky little black flies that commonly show up when a plant’s soil has remained wet for too long. Although the adults may seem harmless, their larvae can really take a toll on your plant. Unlike their parents, who prefer to stay on the top layer of soil, fungus gnat larvae live deeper in the soil where they enjoy feasting on the tender roots of plants. This is often seen among houseplants, and can cause sudden wilting and yellowing of leaves. Solution: Let the soil dry out to at least a depth of 1 inch. You can also treat the soil with Neem oil and beneficial nematodes. There are also a few common plant-damaging culprits that aren’t insects. Fungal diseases, such as black spot, powdery mildew, and rust fungi can wreak havoc on plants if not treated right away. Solution: Water in the morning so plants aren’t wet all night. Diseased leaves should be removed from the plant and surrounding area. Neem oil can also be used to treat these diseases.

TREAT YOUR PLANTS In Season Market & Nursery 215 E. Alpine Ave., Stockton (209) 949-2499

abodes

LACE YOUR GARDEN WITH

Butterfly Magnets  BY NORA HESTON TARTE

Have you ever wanted to have a backyard swarming with butterflies? Perhaps build your own little butterfly garden? Well the best way to attract these beautiful insects is by creating a space that meets their needs. Follow our steps to build a yard primed for butterflies and before you know it you’ll have plenty of fluttering bugs taking over.

THIS MONTH IN YOUR GARDEN AUGUST 1. Prepare summer plants for winter and remove any debris in your yard that could be problematic come fire season including old, dry plants. 2 .Prepare your garden with new soil and any other upkeep that needs to be done in order to support incoming fall/winter plants.

1. Knowledge is power. Knowing what types of

butterflies are local and what they prefer to eat and feed their larvae is an important first step to building a butterfly garden. Butterflies themselves aren’t overly picky and are attracted to flowering plants with ample nectar, such as daisies or goldenrods. The list of butterflies in this area is long. The monarch, however, is a popular one and they prefer milkweed. The Western Pigmy Blue, a particularly small species, prefers pickleweed. Butterflies also need water. A small pot filled with sand and kept moist should do the trick.

2. Let the caterpillars feed. To grow your but-

terfly population, you’ll need to care for the caterpillars, too. Don’t panic over caterpillars munching on plants and be sure to plant what they like to eat. This will encourage a bigger butterfly population in the months to come.

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Make it a neighborhood effort. Get friendly neighbors in on the fun. Fence lines don’t mean much to bugs, so to get the most butterflies out of this experience, it can help to share your knowledge with neighbors—and your concerns.

4. Buck harmful pesticides. While we don’t want our backyards to become overrun with harmful bugs, you may need to find a more natural way to keep pests at bay while trying to attract butterflies. 5. Protect the butterflies. A garden overrun with potential hazards may keep butterflies from calling your yard home. If you’re also trying to attract birds, for example, those winged creatures might eat up the other ones. Weather is the other big issue for butterflies, which can be delicate. Create spaces to shelter them when needed.

3.Treat insect infestations and keep plants moist by spritzing them often. 4.Plant carrots. Colorful hues are trending when it comes to these root vegetables, and August is a good time to start prepping them. 5.To keep your garden colorful, plant latesummer florals that flourish in a dry heat such as bearded irises.

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VOTED

Japanese Restaurant

Sushi Restaurant

BEST

JAPANESE BISTRO TRACY 2610 S. Tracy Blvd. 209.830.8288

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DINE IN TAKE OUT CATERING

LATHROP 15138 Harlan Rd. 209.858.1818

mikasabistro.com

RESTAURANTS | WINE | DRINKS | SWEETS

wine dine

PEKING into the PAST

LONG-STANDING CHINESE RESTAURANT STAYS TRUE TO ITS ROOTS  BY NORA HESTON TARTE / D DAN HOOD

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Peking Restaurant opened in 1979 as the second Mandarin-style Chinese restaurant in Stockton. The first? An eatery opened by Owner Bill Chu’s dad in Lincoln Center in 1978. Bringing delicious Mandarin and Sichuan cuisine to Stockton was the family’s goal—and more than 40 years later they are still making that dream come true. Bill’s wife, Curterina Chu, says the restaurant has undergone several décor changes to update the space since it first opened, but the menu is largely the same. The focus is on authentic Mandarin dishes. “Our food is different from the Cantonese style of Chinese cuisine that so many people are used to,” she says. “ My husband Bill who has since retired created most of the recipes.” SJMAG.COM

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Pull-Out Quote: “I invite everyone to come in and give us a try. You’ll love it,” Curterina Chu, Owner

Since Bill’s retirement, Renwei Xiong has taken over as head chef. He’s been with the eatery for nearly 20 years, so he knows the menu well. This type of dedication helps Bill and Curterina stay true to their original menu. After all, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. When you step into Peking Restaurant, the emphasis is on casual eats with family-style dining. It isn’t fussy, which means you can stop in anytime you’re having a craving for good Mandarin or Sichuan food, and bring whoever you want, including the kids. If you’re not sure what to order—take it from Curterina. “My absolute favorites are the steamed fish—it is so aromatic—Mongolian chicken—nice and spicy—and sizzling rice soup, simple yet flavorful,” she says. Customer favorites include the house chicken, hot braised whole rock cod, hot and sour soup, and potstickers, which are made by hand in house. Although most of the menu has remained the same, some additions have been added. “We now have Chicken lettuce wraps, which have become a hit,” Curterina says. The rock cod is used in multiple dishes. Caught in the San Francisco Bay and deep-fried to a golden brown, top it with sweet and sour sauce and you have the Sweet and Sour Rock Cod. Customer favorite Hot Braised Fish is the whole fried fish braised with green onions and finished in a spicy ginger sauce. Curterina’s favorite, the steamed fish, is a seasonal catch served with julienned fresh ginger and green onions in a house wine sauce. All three fish dishes are served as small, medium, or large—like many items on

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the menu. While most of the cuisine falls in Mandarin and Sichaun categories, The Chus also serve the Korean dish kimchi. Traditionally made using salted and fermented vegetables such as Napa cabbage and Korean radishes, the popular dish is seasoned with chili powder, scallions, garlic, and ginger. While it isn’t Mandarin, the dish is a nod to Bill’s childhood. Growing up in South Korea, he often ate kimchi with his meals and he wanted to bring his own non-fermented version of it to his restaurant, using white cabbage as a substitute to better complement Chinese cuisine. If you want to try the restaurant’s namesake, order the Peking Duck. The young duckling is prepared in a specially built oven to turn out the best meat, and 72 hours is needed for preparation. Served boneless with Peking paoping, a thin Chinese pancake, and with scallions and plum sauce, it’s one of the restaurant’s most special concoctions. Another namesake, Prawns A La Peking, is a dish of succulent, stir-

fried prawns, fried with chopped garlic, water chesnuts, onions, and minced garlic in a house tomato sauce before being topped with green onions. Whatever you order, you can’t go wrong—and there is a LOT to order on the long menu, either for dine-in, take out, or delivery. And you can pair menu items with Tsing Tao beer, domestic beers, or a glass of wine. “I know these are difficult times and I want assure customers that we take COVID-19 seriously and use all precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the virus by constantly cleaning surfaces and requiring all employees and customers to wear a mask,” Curterina says.

PEKING

7555 Pacific Ave., Ste. 115, Stockton (209) 800-8963\ PekingStockton.com

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vino some historical background to the grape variety, and then through a guided tasting of what’s in their glass. The result— an adventurous way to taste Lodi wine from the comfort of your home. We asked Sue about what works, what hasn’t, and what makes the series a success. HOW DID NORMA INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION TO CREATE THIS SERIES?

GREATEST SUCCESS WITH THE SOMM SERIES? NORMA POOLE, WINE EDUCATOR Certificate Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers 2007 Wine & Spirits Education Trust, WSET 2003 Viticulture and Enology, Napa Valley College, UC Davis 2002 Tasting room sales at Cakebread Cellars and Cline Cellars Napa Valley College, Napa, CA

Creating an outlet to provide focused insight and information about our wines that is often difficult to provide in a busy tasting room. We always strive to provide some history about the varietals, the vineyards, and nuances of each of our wines as well as some foods to enjoy with the wines in glass. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS VIDEO SERIES?

With the additions of special guests who are wine professionals from all over the country, we Norma’s passion JV Wine & Spirits, Napa, hope to help them make for teaching evCA 2008-2012 folks aware of their work erything about Wine Buyer, Sommelier, and services and to truly Retail Manager wine, her breadth provide small doses of of knowledge of wine education regarding the wines of the our unique white Rhone variworld, and how she engages our etals grown on our estate. Our customers in the sensory wine goal is to always make these rare experience was something we wines more accessible to all. had to share!

SOMMELIER

Adjunct Instructor, Viticulture and Enology 2008-2016

WHAT HAS BEEN THE

SERIES AT ACQUIESCE WINERY  BY SUZANNE LEDBETTER

When it comes to Lodi Wine Country’s only all-white wine winery, Acquiesce, expect the unexpected. Owner Sue Tipton bucked the Lodi trend of producing big, red wines. Instead, she opted to focus on white wine varieties from the Southern Rhone region of France. Crafting exceptional food friendly white wines from grapes like Viognier and Grenache Blanc, the winery is notorious for its world class sips. But when Coronavirus put a stop to in-person tastings, Tipton decided to get creative with how to connect with wine fans around the world. What she came up with is a weekly video series called Sommelier Thursdays. The video series allows for an in-depth exploration of one wine each week and features her resident sommelier and in-house wine educator, Norma Poole. These two passionate women walk viewers through the wine, first by giving

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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WEEKLY SERIES? AcquiesceVineyards. com to check out past episodes

TRY OVER

14 Unique

FLAVORS OF

Sparkling Wine

AT OUR DOWNTOWN LODI TASTING ROOM!

! g n i l k r a p Best S

s ting U o V r You Fo Thank

9 N. School Street | 209.370.6013 | WEIBEL.com |

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1 BEST PIZZA!

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1744 w. hammer ln. • stockton • 209.477.2677

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THANK YOU VOTING US BEST IN BEST SEAFOOD, CLAM CHOWDER, SALADS, BRUNCH!

Enjoy Summer on

Reservations of Any Size Accepted 314 Lincoln Center â&#x20AC;¢ 209.956.0270 www.BudsSeafood.com

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SIP KIT

A CREATIVE WAY TO TASTE AT HOME  BY NORA HESTON TARTE

SIP KITS COST $15/PERSON LODI VINTNERS *give 24-hour notice for sip kit purchases 3750 E. Woodbridge Rd., Acampo (209) 368-2019 LodiVintners.com

2020 and the Pandemic have led the charge for new wine-tasting trends in San Joaquin County, and when tasting rooms were closed local vintners were finding creative ways to share wine with visitors. Lodi

Vintners was especially inventive, offering more than bottle discounts and curbside pickup, and instead embracing the virtual (as many other Lodi wineries have done). Enter: the Sip Kit. The Sip Kit is a collaboration with Taylor Kininmonth, owner of Lodi’s SIP Shuttle and comes with a full tasting line-up—five wines, one white and four red—served in tiny mason jars (they’re adorable and reusable btw!). The jars are filled depending on how many people your tasting is serving, which you will establish when you call to order. The mason jars are then packed into a box with tasting notes and a link to a YouTube video

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where Taylor and two of the men behind the label, Dennis and Tyson, seated in the Rippey Reserve Room, walk you through the full tasting just as they would in the tasting room—perhaps with a little more information and the benefit of one-onone attention. In all, the experience takes just under 30 minutes, and it’s the closest we’ve gotten to living our best life in a Lodi winery for a while. The included wines are the Rippey Family Vineyards 2017 Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg, the Rippey Family Vineyards 2017 Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, the Concrete Wine Company 2015 Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, the Rippey Family Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi, and the Rippey Family Vineyards 2017 Petite Sirah from Lodi. LangeTwins is offering a similar experience—a wine tasting for two at $30—us-

ing mini bottles to taste through a fourwine lineup of Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Aglianico Rosé, Nero d’Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon. Or, sip along with Bokisch Vineyards. On the website there is a list of short videos with information on tasting notes and other wine making tidbits for five different wines offered by various members of the staff.

D LODI VINTNERS

2020

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In the KITCHEN with JOHN SURLA THE OWNER OF RIPON’S FINA SHARES HIS LOVE OF LOCAL FOOD AND MORE  BY NORA HESTON TARTE

John Surla, the mastermind behind Ripon’s Italian restaurant Fina, knew he wanted to be a chef from a young age. “My passion for cooking started at five years old,” John says. “The first dish my mom taught me was fried rice.” From there it was a steady stream of learning how to cook from his mom and watching countless hours of Yan Can Cook and Julia Child, as well as influence from his Filipino side, where his mom and eight sisters worked in a family restaurant growing up, making dishes like chicken mami, lumpia, pancit palabok, and dinaguan. When John knew he wanted to pursue the culinary arts as a career, he studied at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill and the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. “I opened Fina as an opportunity for me to build and design my dream restaurant and honor my wife Josephine,” he says. “As a chef, I couldn’t ask for a better place to open Fina than Ripon. The Central Valley is the area I’ve grown to known and love, and I can’t emphasize enough how fortunate we are to have so much local produce available and fortunate to have great local people to enjoy it.” WHEN IT COMES TO COOKING, WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO MOST? I look up to my mother. Without her and her cooking impacting my life so much, I may have never had an interest in pursuing a career in the culinary industry.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH AT ANOTHER RESTAURANT? When I’m not at Fina or Surla’s, I like to enjoy Sushi Garden’s Chirashi dish. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LOCAL WINE? My favorite local wine is the McManis Cabernet Sauvignon WHAT'S YOUR BEST COOKING TIP FOR AMATEURS? My best cooking tip for an amateur is to always prep and organize ahead of time. WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DISH FOR AN EASY DINNER AT HOME? My go-to easy dinner meal to make is chicken adobo, which is made with chicken, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar. WHAT’S SOMETHING FUN PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR RESTAURANT? I’m a family man. I not only named the restaurant after my beautiful, loving wife, but I also named a drink after my son. Every time my son comes to the restaurant, he always loves to see his name on our menu.

COME EAT: 200 W. River Rd., Ripon (209) 452-3600 FinaRestaurant.com

Thank You For Voting Us One Of The Best In Zinfandel!

THE “SPOT” FOR GREAT WINES IN LODI SUNSET WINE COMPETITION: 1 Double Gold, 2 Golds and 18 Silvers 2018 PETITE SIRAH, CALIFORNIA “DUBIOUS” “Best Petite Sirah” Platinum – Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 SANGIOVESE, LODI “AMOROUS” “Best Sangiovese” Gold – Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE, ROUS VINEYARD "LUXURIOUS" Platinum - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI, WEST SIDE VINEYARD "SUMPTUOUS" Platinum - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 BARBERA, AMADOR COUNTY, LINSTEADT VINEYARD "RIGHTEOUS Platinum - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 PETITE SIRAH, LODI "REBELLIOUS" Platinum - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 PRIMITIVO, LODI "DEVIOUS" Gold - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE “SUPERLICIOUS” Gold – Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 BARBERA, LODI "DELICIOUS" Gold - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE, MALEY VINEYARD "VOLUPTUOUS" Gold – Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 TEROLDEGO, CALIFORNIA "TREMENDOUS" Gold - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE, MOHR FRY RANCH "GENEROUS" Gold - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE "SERIOUS" Gold - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, AMADOR COUNTY, LINSTEADT VINEYARD "ADVENTUROUS" Gold - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 NEBBIOLO, AMADOR COUNTY "VIVACIOUS" Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE "OBLIVIOUS" Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE, NOMA RANCH "OUTRAGEOUS Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition

2018 ZINFANDEL, AMADOR COUNTY, THE ORIGINAL GRANDPÉRE Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE "MISCHIEVOUS" Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 ZINFANDEL, LODI OLD VINE, WEST WIND VINEYARD "VICTORIOUS" Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 GRACIANO, LODI, "GRACIOUS" Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 LATE HARVEST ZINFANDEL, CALIFORNIA "FLIRTATIOUS Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition 2018 PORT, AMADOR COUNTY, LINSTEADT VINEYARD "DANGEROUS" Silver - Monterey International Wine Competition

7099 E. Peltier Rd. | Acampo, CA 2 0 9 . 3 3 3 . 2 6 0 0 | M AC C H I AW I N E S . C O M SJMAG.COM | AUGUST 2020 153

cooking

CITRUS THYME CHICKEN INGREDIENTS Chicken thighs 3 lemons 6-8 thyme sprigs 4 rosemary sprigs 4 garlic cloves, crushed and sliced thin ¾ c. olive oil 1 tsp. sea salt ½ tsp. pepper

THE ART of

SOUS VIDE

A TRENDY TECHNIQUE FOR COOKING PROTEIN  BY SUZANNE LEDBETTER If you consider yourself a gourmand, chances are you’ve cooked a meal or two using the sous vide method. But for the uninitiated, the art of sous vide may be a game changer. Once limited to professional chefs at high-end restaurants, sous vide (pronounced sue-veed) is a cooking technique that translates to “under vacuum.” What exactly does that mean? Basically, it’s the art of placing raw food in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooking it to a precise temperature in a water bath. We guarantee you’ve had protein cooked in this fashion at local restaurants. In fact, sous vide is the safest way to ensure your protein stays moist, even if you aren’t a master on the grill. Take, for example, Townehouse Restaurant at Wine and Roses. Chefs Bradley Ogden and Ian Bens use the art of sous vide to sub cook most proteins on the menu. The simple reason why is that they can guarantee your chicken or steak reaches the desired temperature without drying out. Once an order is placed, they remove the protein from the vacuum-packed bag and sear it in a pan or on the grill for added texture. It is truly a science and one of the most consistent cooking techniques ever invented.

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THE ART OF SOUS VIDE IN 3 SIMPLE STEPS 1. Attach your precision cooker to a pot of water and set the time and temperature to your desired level of doneness. 2. Put your food in a sealable bag and clip it to the side of the pot. 3. Finish the cooking process by searing, grilling, or broiling the food to add a crispy exterior layer.

DIRECTIONS Set the precision cooker to 150 degrees. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Divide the chicken between two vacuum-seal bags. Slice two of the lemons into thin slices. Juice the other two lemons and divide the juice between both bags. Add olive oil, garlic, herbs, and lemon slices to each bag. Seal the bag using a vacuum sealer and submerge into the water bath. Let cook for two hours. Remove the chicken from the bag and pat dry with paper towels. Add olive oil to a hot cast iron skillet and sear the chicken in batches for about three minutes on each side, or until the skin is golden and crispy.

33 BEERS ON TAP

WE FEATURE LOCAL WINERIES THANK YOU VOTING US #1 BBQ 3 YEARS IN A ROW! ORDER ONLINE FOR PICKUP WWW.FATCITYBREWBBQ.COM SJMAG.COM

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cravings sip

PUTTING THE SQUEEZE on LEMONADE DAY CELEBRATE AUGUST 20 WITH SOMETHING FRESHLY SQUEEZED  BY NORA HESTON TARTE August 20 marks National Lemonade Day and THIS is a holiday we’re happy to celebrate. Whether you’re looking for a cool cocktail that sums up summer or a non-alcoholic version perfect for beating the heat, San Joaquin businesses have you covered. These three must-haves only scratch the surface of what is available, so keep your eyes peeled for more concoctions as temperatures rise. THE CLASSIC – FARMER’S MARKET LEMONADE COSTA’S FINEST KETTLE CORN

Costa’s serves up its freshsqueezed lemonade at the Lodi Farmer’s Market as well as other events. To score a cup, scout out the Costa’s food truck. What makes this blend special is the variety of flavors, so you can opt for the classic or mix it up with strawberry or watermelon (offered seasonally). For those who can’t get enough, there are discounted refills available. (209) 810-0608, @costasfinestkettlecorn, CostasFinestKettlecorn. com

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THE SUMMER FLAVORS – STRAWBERRY, MANGO, PEACH, OR WATERMELON

THE HARD VERSION – TWISTED LEMONADE

MIMOSA’S GOURMET

Pick your poison at Don Luis. The restaurant’s twisted lemonade is a blend of Smirinoff flavored vodka, flavored Dekuyper, and pink lemonade. The ingredients are customized to match your flavor of choice. Choose from a long list: strawberry, watermelon, blueberry, sour apple, pineapple, or peach. Each one is a glorious blend of sweet and sour. 5940 N. Highway 99, Stockton, (209) 931-9163, GreatCaliforniaRestaurants. com/Stockton/DonLuis

We’re not going to tell you not to put champagne in this flavorful lemonade, but trust us when we tell you it’s perfectly good on its own. Mimosas Gourmet serves up a collection of summertime sippers all made with the same balanced lemonade base. Change it up with strawberry, mango, peach, or watermelon flavors, all equally as refreshing as the next. 117 W. Elm St., Lodi, (209) 263-7050, MimosasGourmet.com

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DON LUIS’ MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Deli Trays

209.369.8424 OPEN MONDAY-SUNDAY 11AM-9PM

SAN

2401 W. Turner Rd., Ste. 224 Lodi (Inside Woodlake Plaza)

GOLD WIN NER

BEST

2 01 4

Treat your guests to the unique & delicious difference of fresh Thai cuisine!

JOAQUIN M A G A Z I N E

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST DELI AND ONE OF THE BEST SANDWICHES IN SAN JOAQUIN

HARNEY LANE WINERY & VINEYARDS

LOVE . LAUGHTER . FAMILY . WINE Summer chillers, grill-ready reds and refreshing new releases are here! Visit us for curbside carryout or shop HarneyLane.com to enjoy our estate wines with all that the summer season has to offer.

OPEN DAILY, 11AM-5PM I 9010 E. HARNEY LANE I LODI, CA I 209.365.1900 I HARNEYLANE.COM

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CAN’T GET ENOUGH CANTALOUPE  BY SUZANNE LEDBETTER, FINE FOODIE PHILANTHROPIST

We love late summer for the bounty of farm fresh fruits and veggies brought to market each week. In August, the smell of a vine ripened cantaloupe is a sure-fire sign summer is in full swing. Cantaloupe is the perfect summer snack to savor in a salad, appetizer, or even in your favorite cocktail. The sweet, delicate flesh pairs beautifully with salty additions like prosciutto or feta cheese. But it’s also delicious enough to eat all on its own.

Prosciutto Wrapped Cantaloupe INGREDIENTS 1 medium Cantaloupe 10-14 prosciutto slices ¼ c. basil 1 tbsp. honey

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DIRECTIONS Slice the melon into wedges and remove the rind using a pairing knife. Wrap a single piece of prosciutto around each melon slice, drizzle with honey, and garnish with fresh basil.

We’ve crafted these dishes with a few things in mind. Who doesn’t crave a snack that is simple, fresh, and full of flavor? Because, let’s be honest, no one wants to turn on the oven in the sweltering San Joaquin summer heat. Serve these at your next family barbeque, picnic at the park, or even for an afternoon on the coast. No matter where you decide to whip up these recipes, they are sure to be the hit of the party.

Simple Summer Salad HELPING US HYDRATE. A IS FOR ANTIOXIDANTS

Cantaloupe is loaded with antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein, and antioxidants help ward off cancer. That’s just one more reason to stock up.

Tiki Cantaloupe Coconut Cocktail INGREDIENTS 1 medium cantaloupe ½ c. unsweetened coconut milk ½ c. rhum Agricole ¼ c. dark Jamaican rum ¼ c. fresh lime juice ¼ c. agave nectar Mint, for garnish Lime wedges, for garnish

DIRECTIONS Slice a thin piece of the rind of the top and bottom of the cantaloupe. Cut in half crosswise and remove the seeds. Scoop out the flesh and set aside halves. Transfer half of the flesh to a blender, add coconut milk, rums, lime juice, agave nectar, and ½ c. ice to blender and blend until smooth. Divide cocktail between reserved melon halves and add ice to fill. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime wheels.

VITAMINS & MINERALS A single cup of cantaloupe provides up to 65 mg. of vitamin C. So, you can absorb all that vitamin C goodness while soaking up some vitamin D by the pool. It’s also an excellent source of fiber, potassium, and choline, all of which support a healthy heart. Hydration Power Because of its highwater content, cantaloupe aids in boosting hydration during the hot months of August and September. It also leads the way in electrolytes. Packed with potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium, cantaloupe has proven an effective fruit in

INGREDIENTS 1 medium cantaloupe 1 c. cherry tomatoes 1 lemon 2 tbsp. lemon juice 2 tbsp. honey 1 tbsp. olive oil ½ c. pistachios, chopped ¼ mint, roughly chopped 3 oz. feta cheese ½ tsp. sea salt ¼ tsp. pepper

DIRECTIONS Quarter the tomatoes and cube the cantaloupe into 1-2-inch pieces. Season the tomatoes with sea salt and pepper. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, and olive oil. Arrange melon and tomatoes in a bowl and toss with dressing. Garnish with mint and pistachios.

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Hailed as one of the most authentic powerhouses of Japanese cuisine in the San Joaquin valley, Komachi offers a diverse array of exquisite dishes, ranging from the freshest sashimi to mouth-watering sushi rolls. “Come as a customer, leave as our family.” Hours: Mon - Thur 11AM to 9PM, Fri Sat 11AM to 9:30PM, Sun closed KOMACHI SUSHI 307 S. Lower Sacramento Rd. Ste. D Lodi, (209) 334-3131 SushiKomachi.com

NATIONAL BANANA SPLIT DAY AUGUST 25TH  BY NORA HESTON TARTE walnuts, or almonds) and finish strong with a dash of rainbow sprinkles (available Creamery (with locations upon request). Voila! That’s in Lodi, Galt, and Modesto) it. If this simple recipe leaves serves up a classic banana you wanting more, however, split perfect for this occasion. the Velvet Grill & Creamery The sweet dessert starts with is here for that, too. a banana and three scoops of Every banana split is fully ice cream—vanilla, chocolate, customizable from and strawberry— your ice cream then it’s topped with flavors to your caramel, strawberry, THE VELVET GRILL toppings. Basically & CREAMERY hot fudge, and a 1421 S. Ham Ln., Lodi if they have it, you mound of whipped (209) 369-8231 can put it on your cream. Sprinkle TheVelvetGrill split. We’ll see you with your choice Creamery.com August 25! of nuts (peanuts,

Nestled on the Brickwalk in Lincoln Center Midgley’s Public House specializes in steaks and seafood, with an extensive appetizer menu and unique desserts. Our bar menu consist of several unique cocktails, fine wines and spirits. We have several dining options including our extensive patio, dining room with floor to ceiling open windows, and a large bar area. We offer several dining options for large parties and do catering of all sizes, including our own food truck, Midgley's Public Truck, that can be rented for private and public events. MIDGLEY’S PUBLIC HOUSE 296 Lincoln Center Stockton, (209) 474-7700 midgleyspublichouse.com

This is a holiday we can get into celebrating. The Velvet

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Serving San Joaquin County since 1979 We use ingredients of only the highest quality when preparing our meals. We cook using 100 percent cholesterol-free cooking oils, for a delicious and healthy meal. If you would like to order something not listed in the menu, we will do our best to accommodate you in any way we can. Gift Certificates available. Mon-Fri: 11am-2:30pm & 5-10pm Sat-Sun: 12pm-10pm PEKING RESTAURANT 7555 Pacific Ave., Ste. 115 Stockton, (209) 957-0617 pekingstockton.com

Barsetti Fam ily Celebrating 108 Years in Galt

We are open for tastings, wine by the glass and bottles to enjoy in our tasting room. We are practicing social distance inside and on the patio. Old Town Galt, 400 4th St. Suite 150

209.744.6062

Open: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12-5pm

ricjan@barsettivineyards.com • www.barsettivineyards.com

SUMMERTIME IS SANGRIA TIME  BY FAITH LEWIS \

indulgence for both wine aficionados and those with a less-wine centric palate. Best served chilled, ice is from a fruit forward Pinot optional, but fresh fruit is Grigio and Sauvignon highly recommended. Grab Blanc base and infused a bottle to enjoy at your with peach, mango, and next summer barbeque or citrus flavors, the sangria with a berry-topped green is then force carbonated salad to accentuate the fresh to give it the traditional fruity flavors. EXPERT TIP: Up bubbly mouthfeel sangria is the ante while cooling down known for – without having with a Wilson Family Winery to water down the flavor signature Flood Zone made with sparkling soda. While with half White Sangria, half citrus flavors are wine slushy. front and center White Sangria is with traditional available yearred sangria, round at the this white WILSON FAMILY winery’s tasting sangria draws WINERY room or can be your attention 11484 E. Harney Ln., Lodi ordered online to the sweeter (209) 329-1474\ through Instagram fruit flavors, @wilsonfamilywinery or Facebook or by making it the phone. perfect summer

Wilson Family Winery’s new White Sangria is making a splash this summer. Made

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De Vega Bros. is family own Italian Restaurant and focus on very traditional Italian food and using the freshest ingredients. Our outdoor patio is a great place to take advantage for outdoor gathering and dining. Happy hour, full service bar. We offer banquet and catering for large or small events. Open 7 days a week, Lunch and dinner. Sunday-Thursday: 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday: 11am-10:pm DEVEGA BROTHERS 5757 Pacific Ave., Stockton (We are located inside Stonecreek shopping center) (209)323-4339, www.devegabrothers.com

COOL DOWN WITH A TART CHERRY LIMEADE

Owners Harry and Susan Yu have been a major part of the local economy since 2007 when Mikasa opened its location in Lathrop. Cooking with local produce and only using the freshest fish right from the Bay has always been key to their success. Fortunately the Yu’s chose Tracy for their newest location stocking the full bar with the most extensive liquor, sake, wine and beer selection around. Plus, with happy hour 7 days a week you’ll be sure to get your fill! Mikasa also offers off site catering and a separate banquet room for all your rehearsal dinners, large parties or business needs. Try the special SJM Roll (pictured). MIKASA JAPANESE BISTRO 2610 S. Tracy Blvd. Ste. 110 Tracy, (209) 830-8288 15138 S Harlan Rd., Lathrop, (209) 858-1818

 BY NORA HESTON TARTE

like to think of as hard lemonade’s cousin. The drink is made using real muddled cherries to give it that fresh staple also boasts a rather fruit taste. Combine that impressive cocktail menu, with a citrus-rich lemon-lime complete with signature base and Bacardi Lime and sippers to get you through this cocktail is one puckery the hot San Joaquin summer. sipper you’ll be One of our favorite happy to cool drinks made down with. Bonus by West Oak WEST OAK NOSH points: it’s not bartenders is the 10 W. Oak St., Lodi overly sweet. (209) 224-8157 Cherry Limeade, something we

Our favorite German restaurant is good for more than sausage and nosh fries. This Lodi

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Celebrating their 14th year in the Historic Tracy Inn, the chefs at Tracy Thai Restaurant have produced countless satisfied customers, with their wonderfully inventive dishes. The chef makes classics dishes like ‘Pad Thai’ and ‘Tom Kar Gai’ that leave the diner feeling that they have been transported to a street in Thailand. Many of the dishes such as Eggplant prawns, or Garlic Pork reflect a homestyle feel. The Menu is a delight and there are always Lunch and Dinner Specials. The wood panels and decors at Tracy Thai will bring you to a classic home style in Thailand. With a warm, cozy ambiance and delicious food, you would enjoy your meal at Tracy Thai. TRACY THAI 1035 Central Ave., Tracy, (209) 833-9703

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

TO ALL THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND PUBLIC SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ON THE FRONTLINES CONTINUING TO FIGHT AGAINST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MAGAZINE SJMAG.COM

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