San Joaquin Woman May 2011

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MAY 2011

The Magazine For San Joaquin Women

DOUBLE TAKES

Mother Daughter

LOOK-ALIKES

Beach Style

SWIM FASHION ACCESSORIES

&

Premier womb service.

Looking forward to the long awaited arrival? The birth of a new baby is an experience to cherish. And while you’ve been preparing for months, we’ve been preparing for years. At the Women & Infants Center in St. Joseph’s beautiful Patient Pavilion, moms will enjoy the comfort of their own spacious, private rooms, and feel pampered with small perks—like garden views, a hostess who takes bedside meal orders, and freshly baked cookies delivered in the afternoon.

At St. Joseph’s, we are dedicated to your comfort, supplying advanced pain management, including epidurals. You’ll feel reassured knowing there are new C-section surgical suites and a state-of-the-art neonatal ICU. The birth of your baby is a story you’ll share time and time again. Choose the perfect setting—St. Joseph’s Medical Center—where we’ve created a special place for your very special delivery.

1800 N. California Street, Stockton, CA 95204 209.943.2000 | StJosephsCares.org/Baby

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May 2011 PUBLISHER Roger Coover PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Deitra R. Kenoly EDITOR Karen Bakhtegan CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlene Earley Mehrnaz M. Kamkar, M.D. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Lindsay Ortez Sheridan Blackard Amanda LaRae Larkin Phippside Photography GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jason Ente Dan Loeffelbein Cover photo by Lindsay Ortez www.lindsayophotography.com San Joaquin Woman magazine is published four times a year by The Record, 530 E. Market Street, Stockton, CA 95202. All information written for publication in San Joaquin Woman magazine is believed to be accurate. Readers must assume all responsibility for their own actions based on this information. Occasionally a product or company may be named in an article, but does not constitute an endorsement of said product. San Joaquin Woman magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Photos and content become the sole property of San Joaquin Woman magazine and may be used, published or edited without limit or obligation to the author.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Reproduction is prohibited without the permission of the publisher. For more information, go to sanjoaquinwoman.com.

To advertise in San Joaquin Woman magazine, call (209) 546-8200

FEATURE 8 Mother/Daughter Look-Alikes Our 3rd annual search results

BEACH STYLE 16 Swimwear & Accessories

PEEK-A-BOUTIQUE 22 Dennis Shea Shoes

209 MOMS 26 Tot Culture

OUT & ABOUT 28 Ripken Winery Featured on DIY Network's Indoors Out

FOOD 33 Grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich with California Avocado

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT 12 Geo-Gami Global consciousness through geometry

39 Summer Skin Care Dermatology – Skin Cancer Prevention – St. Joseph's

CAREER 40 Walking a mile in her shoes Music teacher Kristin Florek

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FE AT URE

T E L B U D

R E T H G U A D / R E H T O M L A U 3RD ANN

Christina Heard – 27 Delilah Heard – 19 months

Photo By: On The Phippside Photography

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E K A ET

S E K I L A K O TER LO

MAY 2011

S K C I P S ’ R O T I ED toya hill – 29 nyh’ asia and nyh’ omi hill – 7

Photo by: lindsay ortez www.lindsayophotography.com

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READER’S CHOICE CONTEST

First, we would like to thank everyone who sent in their photos. We wish we could feature each and every one of you, but with dozens of entrants, we had to narrow it down to only a handful. In previous years, we assembled a committee to determine the closest matches and featured only those mother/daughter pairs in the magazine. This year you will find the two Editor’s Picks featured, along with the opportunity for you, the reader, to decide among ten mother/daughter pairs chosen by our committee.

There are two ways to vote for your favorite pair.

You can email your selection to sjwoman@recordnet.com or go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ recordspecialtypublication and vote. Everyone who visits and “likes” the page will be entered into a drawing for a $50 dining gift card. Be sure to get your votes in by June 1, 2011.

The winning mother/daughter pair will win a prize package including a manicure & pedicure for mother & daughter, dinner at a local restaurant and a family photo session from Lindsay O photography.

D UBLETAKE

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1– Erika (28) and Eriawn (20 mos) Cannon • 2– Sara (30) and Alyssa (10) Brisby 3- Jane (39) and Sydnee (8) Navarro • 4– Christal Starbuck (39) and Mariah Mena (19) 5– Nicole (31) and Katelyne (4) Robinette

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6– Sarah Victoria (28) and Addison Victoria (4) Deane • 7– Palmela Winters (62) and Brianna Relloque (10) – grandmother/granddaughter 8– Sylvia (50) and Claudia (12) Augusto • 9– Maria S. (40) and Isabella M. (13) Arrieta 10– Lisa Antuna (56) and Stacie Racho (29)

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M IN D, BODY & SP IR IT

SHAPING YOUNG LIVES WITH GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH GEOMETRY

Story by: Charleen Earley Photos by: Amanda LaRae Larkin

What do you get when you add geometry to origami, square it by a fun teacher named Mollie Verstl at Cesar Chavez High School, and multiply it by raising money for the recent tsunami victims in Japan?

Verstl says you get Geo-Gami. It’s where a total of 64 students from her geometry, algebra, and honors classes created 30 shapes out of origami paper using geometry principles, and placed money inside them to send to Japan.

They made three-dimensional shapes called pointed corona, fluted diamond, tessellation, star cube, x-faced cube, and irregular decahedrons with square openings.

“We are not just assisting with the tsunami relief, but creating global thinkers out of teenagers,” said Verstl, a math teacher at Cesar Chavez for the last three years, and seven years with the Stockton Unified School District.

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She believes a project like this “makes learning fun and assists in the mastery of the subject.”

“I thought, ‘wow, what a great way to get my students to be global thinkers,’” said Verstl.

“I love taking a student who traditionally has not done well in math and create a math-lover out of them,” she added.

“I believe anyone can be successful in geometry and math in general. It just takes patience, and something I’m very good at – passion for the subject. They see me loving what I’m doing, and it helps them get excited.”

Her students donated and stuffed a little over $70 into 30 origami shapes, and they plan to send the money either to the Red Cross or a family Verstl knows in Japan who is struggling.

The idea for the project came to her a few days after March 15, 2011, when the tsunami hit northern Japan, Koriyama city; she was at Barnes & Noble in Stockton shopping when she saw a box called Geo-Gami.

If you would like to donate origami paper (check out Sakura Japanese Groceries & Gifts at 4343 Pacific Avenue, Stockton) or monetary donations, contact Mollie Verstl at mverstl@stockton.k12.ca.us.

FA S HION VOLCOM Sun Hat Campbell’s

BEACH Style

FUN, TRENDY ACCESSORIES CAN ADD STYLE AND FLAIR TO YOUR SWIMWEAR So before you hit the pool or beach, be sure to mix and match with colorful cover-ups, flip flops, hats, bags, and jewelry.

Photos by: Sheridan Blackard Photography

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ROXY SWIM Floral Bandeau Bikini Top with Polka Dot Split-Hip Bottoms Campbell’s

MAY 2011

HURLEY One & Only Military Cap Dillard’s

KAPTIVA Tankini Dillard’s

VOLATILE USA “Annelle” Flip Flop Campbell’s

COPPER KEY White Bermuda Shorts Dillard’s

M eau ith t-Hip

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ROXY Floral Band Straw Hat Campbell’s

O’NEILL Flip Flop Campbell’s ROXY Beach Purse Campbell’s BILLABONG Neon Shark Bikini Campbell’s

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LUCKY BRAND CO. Tie-Dyed Skirt/Dress Cover-Up Dillard’s

LUCKY BRAND CO. Nylon/Mesh Bikini Dillard’s

Beaded Multi-Color Bracelet Dillard’s

SANUK USA Fraid Series Flip Flops Dillard’s

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MAY 2011

SUN & SAND Cowboy Hat Campbell’s

VOLCOM White Smock Bikini Campbell’s

BILLABONG Poncho Cover-Up Campbell’s

BILLABONG Honey Suckle Mesh Purse Campbell’s

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Peek-A-Boutique

FEATUR E

PEEK-A-BOUT Dennis Shea Shoes, a longtime Lincoln Center retailer and annual winner of The Best of San Joaquin, is a full-service retail shoe store that specializes in hard-to-fit sizes.

Dennis Shea carries top-quality men’s and women’s brand-name shoes COLE HAAN | STUART WEIZMAN MUNRO | DANSKO | YELLOW BOX | UGG JOHNSTON | MURPHY | ALLEN EDMONDS | MEZLAN NEIL M | ROCKPORT | NEW BALANCE | AND MANY MORE

Dennis Shea and staff 286 PACIFIC AVENUE | STOCKTON | 209-957-7064

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MAY 2011

UTIQUE

DENNIS SHEA’S S an J o aqui n Wo m an

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M O M 209

Colton Weber 4 years

Parents: Heath and Karen Weber Ripon

Hunter Weber 2 years

Ishaan S. Bal 1 year Grandparents: Bhupinder S. and Bakhshish K. Bal Lathrop

Newborn Swimwear

By Carter’s Little Collections JC Penney

Kenny Zupo 5 years Parents: Ken and Nicollette Zupo Lodi 26

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Girl’s Petal Yellow Patent Shoes & Boy’s Ferris Boardwalk Shoes

By Livie & Luca Tots & Teapots

Girls Denim Ruffl

By Anthem of the Arts & Ma

By Siaom Tots & Tea

S M O M

MAY 2011

Reagan Cassity Fritz • 6 months Parents: Sam and Monica Fritz Stockton

Danny Bernsdorff 2 years Parents: Victor and Eleanor Bernsdorff Stockton

Toddler Beach Bag Clicker Crab and Flex Octopus

By Sunny Patch Babies R Us Ella Rae Fernandez 2 years Parents: Jeff and Jenny Fernandez Stockton

Boys Beach Shirt & Sun Hat

By Giggle Surf Tots & Teapots

Alexandra “Alex” Patrice Mindnich 6 years Parents: Christopher & Jessica Mindnich Stockton

nim Ruffle Bib Romper e Arts & Marigold Striped Caridgan

By Siaomimi Tots & Teapots Sa n J o aqui n Wo m an

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O UT & ABOUT

RipkenWinery

DIY NETWORK FEATURES

ON THEIR INDOORS OUT SHOW

Story by: Charleen Earley Photos by: Lindsay Ortez www.lindsayophotography.com

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Madelyn Ripken-Kolber knew about the outdoor renovation surprise taking place at her family’s Ripken Winery in Lodi, but seeing it for the first time in real life instead of on paper was quite a different experience.

“She was so excited to see it,” said her sister Susan Ripken. “My sister started the winery six years ago, and started her own family three-anda-half years ago, so she hasn’t been able to do both – raise a family and work. We wanted to surprise her with this outdoor area.”

Filmed in three days in March by DIY Network, Susan said the show’s hosts Derek Stearns and Dean Marisco were initially looking to film a commercial at a winery in Napa, but didn’t find a perfect match for their family program. They ultimately connected with the Lodi Winegrape Commission, who in turn sent an e-mail out to Lodi wineries who might be interested in the network’s Indoors Out show.

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The Ripken family expressed their interest along with a dozen others, and somehow became the chosen one.

“We had a great time doing it,” said Susan.

“We didn’t have any issues or arguments; everyone was smiling and happy, but what impressed me the most was how the community all came together and donated either their labor or products.”

Local contributors included architect Jeff Gamboni, Mike Greenlees Landscaping, Dallas Kort Electrical, Jason Martinez’s excavating, arbor designer and builder Shanon Cabebe, and Hunter Lighting. Misty Mountain Landscaping was the only contractor out of the area, from Camino, CA. “Everyone who donated got generous amounts of wine!” said Susan.

Collectively, the contractors built a fire pit, designed landscaping and irrigation, installed outdoor lighting, built a 10-foot arbor 40 feet long, laid 2,000 square feet of pavers, and created a 12-foot-long bar using sustainable, natural resources to match the winery’s rustic look.

“The bar is perfect,” said Susan, who is a third-generation grape-grower. “And our trees have lighting; it’s amazing.”

She said the show airs in roughly six months.

“Just in time for harvest!” she added.

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FOOD

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK SANDWICH WITH CALIFORNIA AVOCADO AND BLUE CHEESE Ingredients

• 2 (8 to 10 oz.) skirt steaks • 1 medium, sweet yellow onion, cut in ¼-inch slices

PreParation: Cook tiMe: total tiMe: serves:

15 Min 15 Min 30 Min 4

• 2 small tomatoes, cut in ¼-inch slices • 2 tbsp. canola oil • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 4 (6-inch) pieces of baguette, sliced in half lengthwise and lightly toasted • California Avocado Blue Cheese Spread (see make-ahead recipe) • ½ ripe fresh California avocado, thinly sliced, for garnish

• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

• 4 sprigs fresh thyme, for garnish

• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

• cracked black pepper, for garnish

• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves

*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe.

A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados, adjust the quantity accordingly.

Nutrition information per serving: 566 calories; 26 grams fat (4.8 sat, 14 mono, 3.3 poly); 88 mg cholesterol; 586 mg sodium; 6.3 grams fiber

Recipe provided by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger for the California Avocado Commission, copyright © 2009

HE ALT H & BEAUTY

MAY 2011

SKIN CARE 5 TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

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PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN

The most important way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots, and rough, dry skin. Sun exposure can also cause more serious problems, such as skin cancer. For the most complete sun protection: • Avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.

This is when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven longsleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats. You might also opt for special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.

2 Story by: Mehrnaz M. Kamkar, M.D.

DON’T SMOKE

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as Vitamin A, that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin – fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking – such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke – may contribute to wrinkles.

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As a Family Practitioner, I treat the whole person. I always encourage my patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and to have a positive outlook on life. As a woman, I have a special interest in women’s health and anti-aging of the skin. Good skin care – including sun protection and gentle cleansing – can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Don’t have time for an intensive skin care regime? Pamper yourself with the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent many skin problems.

Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

• Use sunscreen when you’re in the sun. Apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours, after heavy sweating, or after being in water.

TREAT YOUR SKIN GENTLY

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin, so keep it gentle: • Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm – rather than hot – water.

• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.

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• Moisturize dry skin. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear – but research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and carbohydrates may promote younger-looking skin.

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MANAGE STRESS

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive, and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin – and a healthy state of mind – take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy.

The results may be more dramatic than you expect.

Dr. Kamkar has over 18 years of experience in Family Medicine and practices at St. Joseph’s Medical Group of Stockton. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kamkar, please call (209) 475-5500.

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CAREER S

WALKING MRS. FLO’S MUSICAL A MILE

IN

SHOES

Running low on fuel from attending a band performance from the night before and getting home at 11 pm, teacher Kristin Florek, known as “Mrs. Flo” to her students, showed no signs of weariness while conducting four periods of various music classes.

A 1996 graduate in music education and saxophone performance from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music in Stockton, Florek first taught in several local schools before making Cesar Chavez her home in 2005, when the school first opened.

With not even a yawn, Florek began her first period at 7:15 am on a rainy, cloudy Wednesday with a classroom filled with 26 students learning beginning classical guitar. Hair pulled back in a single ponytail, wearing comfy jeans and a burgundy Cesar Chavez High School polo shirt covered by a grey Disneyland hoodie, Florek used humor to get the day started.

Her 5' 11" frame poised at the front of the classroom playing the string bass, she talks to her students. “Wouldn’t it be fun to play the tuba?

“I do a lot of multi-tasking. I team-teach with instructor Art Coleman, and across the hall in room 146 is our award-winning Jazz A group.

Art and I team up, and we are constantly going back and forth between each other’s classes and rehearsals,” said Florek.

She said the kids think of her as “mom,” and Coleman as “dad,” and respect their guidance, expertise, and direction.

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“Robert Schumann was just as an important composer as Mozart. The word “bagatelle” is a type of dance, and during his time, they’d get together and do this dance,” said Florek, who continued to explain pick-up measures in the song.

The school bell – which sounds more like a loud doorbell chime – rings shortly before 9 am, signaling students to head to their second period. Florek schlepps her heavy string bass down the hall to the school’s auditorium, where she meets her advanced guitar players, 17 of them, sitting in a circle, one foot resting on their guitar cases, the other foot keeping beat while tuning their school-owned guitars.

“If you say the chord out loud, it burns it in your brain, really,” said Florek, a 2007 San Joaquin A+ Teacher of the Year award recipient.

Born and raised in Woodland, CA, her official title is Assistant Director of Bands, but she’s more than that.

While the students work on Robert Schumann’s “Bagatelle #5,” Florek, a professional saxophonist and clarinetist, gives background information.

It’s like weight-lifting and playing at the same time! You end up with major muscles,” she said.

While teaching her students beats, tempos and going over major and minor chords, even flats, she talks to her students about Mozart.

In the same breath, she talks about the concert “He never wrote all his music out; it was all in his from the night before. “We had a concert last head; he’s like a modern-day jazz player, like night in Stockton. It was awesome – one of the Carlos Santana,” said Florek. “He was a genius kids threw up in the theatre! Poor thing, she was – many modern folks don’t write down all their so nervous. Sorry for the stories, I talk too much!” work. For me, I never get bored, because I’m added Florek. always thinking of music in my head!”

But the kids love the stories, the grosser the better.

MAY 2011

Florek makes it to her prep period at 10:20 am, where, instead of students to teach, she has paperwork to go over. She takes a moment to talk about the joys and challenges of teaching.

“One of my day-to-day challenges is dealing with all the obstacles my kids have to overcome; making them come around and learn something in their classes when there’s all this hell going on at home,” said Florek. “The gang issues are prevalent here; we have some great interventions on campus, but how do you tell a student gangs are bad when their whole family is in it?”

“I love making music all day. I’m on a ‘stage,’ and get to be a rock star to them every day!” said Florek, who added that most music teachers won’t play instruments in front of their students.

“The good teachers just dive right in.”

While Florek walks to Wendy’s for a chicken sandwich and soup during her lunch break, one of her students gives his teacher praise.

“She’s the best. She’s very caring. Not only does she teach us musicianship, but she teaches us good ethics, to be on time and act respectful,” said Fernando Rivera, a senior and first trumpet player in the marching band.

While her work is not done for the day, since she still has to help the students load up their equipment for their 7:30 pm performance at Delta, she also has to help with warm-up exercises on Delta’s stage, along with the concert in general.

It’s not about the number of hours she puts in a day’s work, Florek said. It’s about touching lives.

“We teach our students demeanor, discipline and building that network,” said Florek. “We are training future doctors, lawyers, teachers and maybe some musicians.”

Story by: Charleen Earley Photos by: Amanda LaRae Larkin

Do you ever wonDer what it’s like to Do your neighbor’s job?

To walk a mile in some other woman’s proverbial shoes, without all the blisters that go with it? Each issue, Charleen Earley will do the walking for you and job-shadow Central Valley women in such jobs as fire fighters, nurses, child caregivers, even funeral directors. Our kick-off feature is music teacher Kristin Florek from Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton.

If you have a job you would like Charleen to shadow, please contact sjwoman@recordnet.com

Coleman wanted to add to the praise to the mix.

“She’s so easy to talk to, she complements all my weaknesses,” said Coleman. “She’s my assistant on paper, but literally we’re partners. She once gave one of her students $100 to buy some clothes.”

Florek, who teaches after-school programs three days a week, and helps organize and attend about 50 music events a year with her students, said her short days are typically from 7 am to 5 pm She admits she couldn’t do it all without her supportive husband John, also a musician.

“There’s always paperwork to do at night, parents to call, websites to update, e-mails to send, and band booster meetings to attend; if all I do is teach, then I’m not doing my job,” she said.

She finishes her day off – still no yawns – with her last two periods of the day, the Titan Marching Band and the Jazz Band, going over all the music they will be performing that night at Delta Community College.

After fine-tuning certain areas of “The Winds of Poseidon,” Florek ends with, “The work is already done; now you need to enjoy it!”

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