20 minute read
32 YEARS OF FINE ART & FINE WINE
DELICATO FAMILY WINES
12001 CA-99, Manteca (209) 824-3501 Delicato.com
THE ARTS
BY FAITH LEWIS
Set your palate for a classic Central Valley pairing: fine wine and fine art. After taking a hiatus last year due to the pandemic, Delicato Family Wines’ Fine Art Show is returning this month for its 32nd installment. Running from February 5 to 26, this is the perfect opportunity to delight your senses with both wine and art.
The late Dorothy Indelicato’s love of art motivated her to start the Fine Art Show in hopes of giving local artists a way to let their creativity shine through. “She loved art and wanted to create a place for local artists to display their work,” Brent Dodd, director of corporate communications at Delicato Family Wines, says of Dorothy. And over the last three decades the event has aged like a fine wine, drawing artists and art admirers from up and down the Central Valley.
Throughout January, artists were once again invited to submit up to five original works created in the last three years for a chance to win one of several cash or gift certificate awards. Judging took place on January 29 with the art split into several distinct categories, including landscape, floral, portrait, animals, whimsical, seascape, and other.
Now the doors are open to visitors and Delicato is eager to welcome you to enjoy the many acrylic, watercolor, pastel, oil, charcoal, and ink masterpieces being shown. And even though the official judging is already done, you can still let your inner art critic be heard by voting for your favorite piece; the artist with the most votes at the end of the show will be awarded the coveted Visitors’ Choice Award. Or, if you really fall in love with a piece, make it yours. All art is available for sale on a first come, first serve basis.
Delicato’s tasting room is open daily from 9 AM5:30 PM. Call ahead to reserve your tasting flight so you can sip and savor the art to your heart’s content.
A JUDGE WITH AN ARTIST’S EYE
This year the Delicato Fine Art Show welcomed
Rhett Regina
Owings as judge. A local Central Valley artist with more than three decades behind the easel, you can find her painting landscapes, still life, animals, flowers, and more in her studio or in the great outdoors. She typically reaches for oil paints, but also works in pastels, acrylics, gouache, and pen and ink. Find her work online at
RhettsStudio.com.
CheapEats
BOMB FOOD ON A BEER BUDGET
BY SUZANNE LEDBETTER & NORA HESTON TARTE / D DAN HOOD
Getting a filling meal at a decent price that doesn’t come from the nearest chain drive-thru may feel an impossible feat to master these days. Luckily we've spotted some of our favorite low-cost meals from sizzling soups and heartwarming cups of chili to sandwiches perfect for lunch and burgers that promise to leave even the hungriest diners feeling full. Read on for our countdown of some of the best foods on the market with a price tag your budget will appreciate. Pssst nothing on this list rings up over $12.
College Cravings
If you’re hanging out near UOP, whether as a student or faculty, there are plenty of places to grab a little grub between classes, and many of those will satisfy both your hunger and your starving college student budget. All of these delicacies will run you less than $11, with choices as low as $6 on the menu.
AVOCADO BURGER FROM MANNY‘S CALIFORNIA FRESH CAFÉ A quarter pound of lean ground chuck topped with freshly sliced avocado, tomato, onion, and mayo. Served on a Genova roll with a Vienna pickle.
BREAST OF CHICKEN SANDWICH FROM MANNY ‘S CALIFORNIA FRESH CAFÉ Bite into a tender marinated chicken breast carved from the bone and served on a sourdough bun. Finished with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
BLAKE’S TURKEY AND PESTO AIOLI SANDWICH FROM WHIRLOW’S TOSSED AND GRILLED Oven-roasted turkey with provolone cheese, pesto aioli, lettuce, tomato, and onion.
SLIDER BASKET FROM FAT CITY BREW & BBQ
Mix it up with your choice of meat (up to three) on this basket featuring three mini burgers.
THE #3 FROM GIAN'S’ DELICATESSEN This customer’s favorite is heavy on the meats, boasting slices of mortadella, coppa, salami, and prosciutto, plus provolone cheese and other toppings.
LOWEST PRICE ALERT: CHICKEN TERIYAKI BOWL AT LUU’S CHICKEN BOWL Nothing on the menu at Luu’s will run you more than $8. Consider the teriyaki chicken bowl to start, complete with rice and veggies.
Comfort Food
Looking to fill your belly with something warm and delicious? We’ve got all those coziest meals for the colder months—or just a dreary spring day—right here. The best part is nothing clocks in over $11.25 and some featured dishes are under $6.
BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS FROM MOO MOO’S BURGER BARN White meat breaded chicken tenders tossed in buffalo sauce, served with celery sticks and Bleu cheese dressing.
FISH & CHIPS FROM MOO MOO’S BURGER BARN Beer battered cod fish, served with tartar sauce and a side of regular or battered fries, sweet potato fries, or onion rings.
JILL’S PATTY MELT FROM THE CREAMERY This BIG sandwich is stacked with 1/3-pound of beef, grilled yellow onions, and melty swiss cheese over grilled rye bread.
WORMANATOR FROM BIGWORM’S BAKERY & DELI This hearty meal will do for lunch or an early dinner. Two beef patties, bacon, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and grilled onions are presented on two pieces of buttermilk toast and smothered in the house sauce and barbecue sauce. Served as a full meal, it comes with a side of hand-cut fries.
DONUT BURGER FROM BIGWORM’S BAKERY & DELI This daring creation has gained some notoriety in SJC. A glazed donut acts as the bun, stuffed with two patties, cheese, two slices of bacon, and one egg before it’s finished with house sauce.
CUP OF CHILI, MOO MOO’S BURGER BARN Premium beef and bean chili finished with a heaping helping of cheddar cheese and diced red onions.
CHILI WITH CORNBREAD FROM TIN ROOF BBQ Made with quality meat and prepared slow, this mouthwatering chili will warm you from the inside out.
BAVARIAN PRETZEL FROM WEST OAK NOSH This over-sized pretzel is served with beer cheese and beer mustard for dipping.
Bon Appetit
5 Hot Spots for Chicken Wings
Fire Wings offers a killer deal on their five-piece boneless wings, but all of these options ring up under $12, making them a steal for a hearty serving—boneless, bone-in, and available in an endless number of flavors.
CHICKEN WINGS FROM FAT CITY Choose a flavor from a long list that includes original BBQ, sweet n tangy, sweet chipotle, hot manganero, 50/50, or buffalo sauce.
6 PACK WINGS FROM SMITTY’S WINGS AND THINGS You’ll be able to pick two flavors to try with this combo. Sauces include damn hot, hot, plain, honey bbq, mango chipotle habanero, spicy bbq, teriyaki, Thai sweet and sour, garlic chile, and hot honey. Served with carrots and celery.
8 PIECE CHICKEN WINGS FROM LORD OF THE WINGS You have your choice of flavor, including options like Jamaican Jerk, sour cream and onion, Cajun dry rub, sweet chili, teriyaki, ranch dry rub, lemon pepper dry rub, Greek, bacon, sweet lemon pepper, and more.
7 BONELESS OR BONE-IN CHICKEN WINGS FROM PORTER’S PUB (ABOUT $1.50 MORE FOR BONE IN) Dry rubs include lemon pepper and chili lime or sauce them up with buffalo, sweet Thai chili, garlic parmesan, Korean pepper, honey sriracha, honey garlic, or mango habanero.
LOWEST PRICE ALERT: 5-PIECE BONELESS FROM FIRE WINGS There’s a long list of flavors offered. Get your wings extra wet or crispy before picking your favorite seasoning and sauce. Flavors include Korean kick, Jamaican jerk, garlic parmesan, dragon, peanut butter, Louisiana rub, salt and pepper, Saigon street, and more.
Lunch Staples–Soups, Salads, and Sandwiches
These are the go-tos when we think of a quick lunch. Shell out $5 and satisfy your hunger. Nothing on this list tops $12.
SOUP & SALAD COMBO FROM THE CREAMERY Enjoy a bowl of soup and a green salad, served with garlic bread or corn bread.
LEMON CHICKEN SOUP AT PAPAPAVLO’S BISTRO & BAR Save money on a cup or order up a bowl. Neither one breaks the bank.
LOWEST PRICE ALERT: SOUP FROM GREEN PAPAYA All of the soups on the menu are offered at a daringly low price. Choose from Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup, Chicken Coconut Soup, Wonton Soup, Glass Noodle Soup, or Tofu Vegetable Soup.
CLAM CHOWDER FROM MIDGLEY’S PUBLIC HOUSE This chef’s specialty is served at an everyday low price.
MENUDO OR POZOLE SOUP FROM EL CHILANGO CHIDO Pick your poison—these two classic Mexican soups will warm you from the inside out.
THE GOLDEN GATE FROM BON APPETIT A grilled chicken breast sandwich served with bacon, aioli, smoked gouda cheese, and lettuce on toasted bread.
CANNONBALL RUN AT FIORI’S BUTCHER SHOPPE This stacked sandwich boasts honey ham, roasted turkey, cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise on your choice of bread.
GRILLED PORK SANDWICH FROM MAMA’S PHO & SANDWICHES Traditional Vietnamese sandwich made with grilled pork.
BACON GRILLED CHEESE FROM PORTER’S PUB Served on parmesancrusted sourdough and topped with applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese.
BEET & ORANGE SALAD FROM WEST OAK NOSH Fresh beets and oranges are served on a bed of mixed greens with cinnamon and goat cheese.
HALF SALADS FROM PORTER’S PUBS These salads are filling even when ordered in a half-size. Choose between Cranberry Spinach, Oriental Chicken Salad, Candied Walnut Chicken Salad, Sirloin Steak Salad, Taco, or Cobb.
El Chilango Chido
Porters Pub
6 Places for Tacos
Tacos are probably one of the easiest meals to grab on a budget. And whether it’s a taco Tuesday special (a la Fat City BBQ) or an everyday price, you can grab these bad boys for prices as low as $1.50.
BEEF OR CHICKEN TACO FROM HABANERO HOTS Make a meal of these a la carte tacos when you dine in.
TACO TRUCK STYLE TACOS FROM PORTER’S PUB Diners can choose between asada, chicken, and carintas.
TACO DE GUISADO FROM EL CHILANGO CHIDO Make it a meal with rice, beans, and your choice of potatoes, nopales, or pico.
TACOS FROM EL FRUTAL You have your choice of meat including fish and shrimp with low, low prices on every option.
TACOS AND CRUNCHY TACOS FROM MARIA’S TAQUERIA & MEAT MARKET Made authentic style, the street tacos are served with cilantro, onion, and salsa. Or get them in crunchy shells with your choice of meat, cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.
TACO TUESDAY SPECIAL AT FAT CITY BREW & BBQ Every Tuesday treat yourself to the way Fat City does tacos. The choices for meat are extensive and include Fat City specialties from brisket and St. Louis ribs to pulled pork and bacon.
Porters Pub
Komachi Sushi
Cheap Gyros
Gyros for less than $10? Yes, please!
GYRO WRAP FROM GO FALAFEL Wrapped in pita bread and served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce
LAMB GYRO FROM RICE & SPICE Featuring decadent slices of lamb, finished with lettuce, tomato, and a classic tzatziki sauce
CHICKEN OR LAMB GYRO MEAL FROM KABOB & GYRO GRILL Get the whole meal –a chicken or lamb gyro, French fries, and a canned soda
GYRO SANDWICH FROM THE GREEK FORK Opt for chicken, falafel, a traditional Greek gyro, or the vegetarian rendition
Asian Eats
Whether you’re craving Thai curry or Filipino eggrolls, there are no shortage of options to satisfy a craving for Asian fare across San Joaquin County. With eateries in Tracy, Stockton, and Lodi, to choose from, this list ensures you won’t go hungry even if you’re waiting on that next paycheck to hit the bank.
GREEN CURRY FROM THAI SPICES You choose between chicken, beef, pork, or tofu simmered in this concoction of green curry and coconut milk. Plus veggies.
YELLOW CURRY WITH RICE FROM THAI KITCHEN Served with potatoes and onions in coconut milk with options for chicken, pork, beef, or tofu.
RED CURRY FROM ROYAL SIAM Red curry paste and coconut milk served with bamboo shoot, bell peppers, and sweet basil.
FRIED PORK BELLY FROM THAI ME UP This raved about dish is cooked to perfection and comes with dipping sauce on the side.
PHO FROM MAMA'S PHO & SANDWICHES Choose your meats and flavors from the list of 14. All come in sizes small, large, and extra-large.
LUMPIA FROM PAPA URB’S The counter-serve eatery in Stockton and Tracy turns out Filipino fare including these traditional fried spring rolls.
PAD THAI FROM GREEN PAPAYA Perhaps the most popular Thai dish in the states. This dish comes fried with shrimp, ground peanuts, egg, bean sprouts, and scallions. Made with Thai spices.
SPICY RAMEN FROM KOMACHI SUSHI
This spicy ramen boasts pork, shrimp, and mixed vegetables. Choose between mild, medium, hot, extra hot, or challenge hot.
48 FEBRUARY 2022 | SJMAG.COM ELECTRIFYING BY JAMES RAIA
NEW GENERATION OF VEHICLES ANSWER CLIMATE CONCERNS
Approaching 200 years ago, a few smart innovators with big dreams began experimenting with vehicles propelled by electricity. Two Scotsmen respectively introduced an electric carriage and locomotive with galvanic cells with limited lives.
The contraptions quickly gained notoriety. They were revolutionary for the early 1830s but are best remembered as pre-historic precursors to the current electric vehicle surge.
All major and niche car manufacturers— Chevrolet to Ford, Tesla to Lucid—have electric cars and trucks or are preparing an alternative fuel or electric vehicle.
The automotive future is now, accelerated in California by Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order announced in September 2020. The state will require by 2035 that all new car and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission vehicles. Electronic vehicle pioneers were renowned engineers, but who knew they could predict the future?
While early entrepreneurs' machines vanished, EVs never disappeared. The electric streetcar Electrobat debuted in Philadelphia in 1894. It had rear-steering, a 25-mile range and a top speed of 20 miles per hour. Ransom Eli Olds built electric horseless carriages before debuting the first mass-market Oldsmobile cars in 1901. The Thomas Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton electric vehicle was engineered by Dr. Ferdinand
Porsche, founder of his namesake vehicle. Studebaker began the 20th century by debuting electric cars, one of which Thomas Jefferson drove. Much happened in the next 100 years, all outdone by the industry's growth in the past 20 years. "I know that Chevrolet is fully invested," says James Vasquez, a sales associate at Chase Chevrolet in Stockton who leases a Chevrolet Bolt. "I believe they are planning at least 15-2 fully electric vehicles by 2030. Right now, it's starting to pick up steam. I think as the infrastructure grows and they add more stations, customers are going to see that will eventually be more interested."
Tesla wasn't the first modern, massproduced electric vehicle. The General Motors EV1 was made for four years beginning in 1996. But Tesla founder Elon Musk changed the automotive industry in 2008 with Roadster, the first electric supercar. Several models have followed, pushing the iconic brand named after SerbianAmerican futurist Nikola Tesla, into a phenomenon. The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling plug-in electric vehicle in history, surpassing one million units sold in June 2020.
Tesla's success pushed other manufacturers into catch-up mode. The public hasn't embraced alternative fuel vehicles, particularly electric vehicles. But the industry is moving forward.
The Toyota Prius, the first mainstream hybrid, debuted in the United States in 2000. With many other carmakers' offerings added into the mix, hybrids comprise only 2.5 percent of the country's vehicle sales. Electric vehicles represented only 1.7 percent of U.S. car sales in 2020.
But with tax incentives, purchasing an electric vehicle in many instances is economically prudent. In October of 2021, the average price of a new car in the U.S. surpassed $45,000 for the first time. A recent report, published by Cars.com, notes base models of the country's top-11 cheapest electric vehicles cost $45,000 or less.
Here are six additional manufacturers' electric vehicles, value-oriented to luxury:
2022 CHEVROLET BOLT —
Competition is brisk in the EV market. The small hatchback is much improved out of necessity. Updates are about as detailed as can occur without a carmaker declaring a vehicle's new generation. With its starting price slashed $5,000 from 2021, the Bolt begins at $31,995. New stuff inside and outside abounds.
The interior includes a new instrument panel, new seats, an 8-inch gauge display and a 10.2-inch touchscreen. There's also a new shifter design with buttons and toggles. The biggest styling change is a more upright front end. It has “high-eye” daytime running lights and turn signals with headlights lower down. Inside, new seats and a new instrument panel with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and an available 8-inch gauge display shine. A new shifter design uses toggles and buttons. "I live here, not too far away, so it's perfect," says Vasquez of his Bolt. "I drive it to work. I plug it in, use the vehicle and plug it in again in a week. No fuel, no maintenance. It is the future. The infrastructure just has to catch up."
A rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise control is included with the Bolt. Direct current fast-charging capability is also now standard as is a dual-level charge cord that can be used with 120-volt or 240volt home outlets.
The new Bolt retains a 65-kWh battery and 200-horsepower electric motor, with as much as a 259-mile range.
2022 HUMMER EV — About as far removed from the former gargantuan-isbetter approach, the Edition 1 is hardly subdued. But the returning beast is less military-styled and more geared toward performance than its defunct steroidladen ancestor.
With a projected 1,000 horsepower and acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.0 seconds, the new bruiser will bristle with machismo. It comes standard with 35-inch all-terrain tires but can accommodate larger styles.
An adaptive air suspension? Why not? The new Hummer's body can lift 5.8 inches when conditions dictate. What the new Hummer isn't is cheap. The base model won't be available until 2024 and will start at $80,000.
Like its predecessor, the new Hummer is strikingly different in looks and drive. It joins the Ford F-150 Raptor, the Ram 1500 TRX, and Rivian R1 in the fledgling super-truck segment. It's testosterone on wheels defined.
2022 NISSAN LEAF — A pioneer
among fully electric vehicles available in the U.S., the base trim Leaf is now called the "S" model. The four-door hatchback debuted in 2011 and the newest version presents another segment oddity.
The standard-range Leaf has a 40-kilowatt-hour battery and a 147-horsepower electric motor, bigger than earlier models. But it's also been reduced by $4,000 to make the manufacturer's retail price $28,375. It's the country's lowest-price EV. Its charging range hasn't been set but will vary from 149 to 226 depending upon model.
Much about the Leaf is basic. But for the price, it offers a good share of features. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. A fast-charging port and portable 240-volt charging cable are also included. A Leaf Plus, with a larger battery, longer range (and higher price), is also available.
2022 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E — It
looks nothing like a Mustang, but the small fastback SUV has the iconic sports car's badging, it's stylish and fast. The two GT performance versions have estimated 0 to 60 miles per hour times of 3.5 seconds.
There's much more to like. The base, standard-range Mach-E has a 68-kWh battery; the longer-range versions have an 88-kWh pack. A dual-motor, all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive are available. With the standard-range Select trim, the range is 230 miles; it's 211 miles with all-wheel-drive. The uniquely made California Route 1 model with rear-wheel-drive has a 305mile range. Fast-charging capability is standard at up to 150 kWh. "I think people are embracing the technology," says Eric Beas, general sales manager of Big Valley Ford in Stockton. "There's been good interest in Mach-E but Ford also has the Lightning (the electric version of the best-selling pickup truck) coming out and we have 300 reservations as a dealership." The new truck, however, may be delayed because of continuing supply chain issues. In the meantime, the Mach-E has captured the spotlight.
The 15 1/2-inch vertically mounted touchscreen is a highlight. Ford calls its infotainment/multimedia/safety system Sync 4A. It handles most of the interior functions. Standard safety and technology features are impressive as are the overall interior space, driving comfort, and road feel. It's a lot of car for a starting price of $43,995.
2022 LUCID AIR — Fifteen years after it was founded as a battery manufacturer and then rebranded as an automaker, the carmaker's luxury sedan has arrived. It hopes to go where no new electric car has gone — to challenge Tesla.
Massively powerful, the top-line Air Dream Performance edition has 1,111 horsepower and 1,025 pounds-feet of torque. Its slightly less powerful sibling has 933 horsepower but a manufacturer'sbest 520 miles of range. A few other trims vary in horsepower but remain specification monsters.
With such high numbers and extraordinarily styling inside and out, the two top-line Air models sold put shortly after they were announced for a price estimated at $170,000. Cheaper editions, with lower performance expectations, are planned for 2022 and for about half the cost.
2022 RIVIAN R1T — Style, innovation, and unparalleled specifications lean toward success for the just-debuting pickup truck. It's been planned for years and it's strategically built its financial foundation. Now what awaits is real-world reviews.
The on-paper numbers impress: The Rivian has 1,760 pounds of payload and an 11,000-pound towing capacity. Its 314mile range is better than many electric cars it's the most among trucks or RVs.
Further, Rivian's 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration is marketed at 3.5 seconds. The R1T is a performance-oriented truck with equal ability for off-road adventure. There's more. The truck has four electric motors that deliver a combined 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. It weighs 7,148 pounds and still has 0 to 60 miles-per-hour acceleration in 3.5 seconds.
Two one-of-a-kind features complete the futuristic-looking truck. A side-toside pass-thru box storage area is located behind the rear seats. It's called "gear tunnel." It's ideal for golf clubs, skis, luggage, etc. But an optional accessory is the removable "camp kitchen." It features a 1440-watt induction stovetop. The Rivian R1T starts at $74,145.
James Raia, a freelance writer in Sacramento, writes a weekly automotive column for Bay Area News Group. He has published the website TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004.
