209 Business Journal - November 2022

BY CHRISTOPHER CORREA 209 Business Journal

2019, Modesto’s Katie Barber and her team of educators and parents have set out on a goal to bring a children’s museum to the Central Val ley. After years of fundraising, planning and community outreach amongst other efforts, that dream is finally becoming closer to a reality as construc

tion and renovations within their space on 930 11th St. in Modesto is officially underway.

The property is the former home to Heart and Soul Cof fee and the Fat Cat Music House and was acquired by the Modesto Children’s Museum organization back in 2019 with help of community donations. The vision for the museum is to offer local children unique op

Photo contributed

The Modesto Children’s Museum Board were on hand when indoor renovations got underway at their space at 930 11th St. in Modesto.

—SKatie Barber, Modesto Children’s Museum board president

IN PROFILE

Eat, drink and be entertained at the Mainzer

BY VIRGINIA STILL 209 Business Journal

The revival has been ongoing in downtown Merced with the renovation of the El Capitan Hotel and the Mainzer theater on Main Street, bringing people in the 209 a hub of entertain ment and upscale restaurants. They have quite the variety of merriment at the Mainzer with live shows on the main stage, movies in the cinema, a retrogaming area, a self-serve beer bar and tasty pub food are all reasons that people are making their way to the heart of Mer ced.

Whether you are a local or a visitor, there is fun to be had at the Mainzer and it is worth the trip as there is a surprise at ev ery turn with the art collection, design, or amenities that make this remodeled theater some thing truly special. What once was a storefront is now an in door gaming area with Skeeball, a large scrabble board, Foosball, ping pong and much more.

Kim Garner, Director of Cul ture and Community Impact for the sister properties (El Capitan and Mainzer) explained that the Mainzer was originally built in the early1920s as a live perfor mance theater and then it was turned into a movie theater. It burned down around 1930 or 1931 and then was rebuilt. It operated as a movie theater for a long period of time and was renovated in the late 1990s. The Mainzer reopened in 2020 with a fresh new look and new con cept. Although that was a rough year to open, Garner noted that they had a really good response from the community.

“Opening through the pan demic was definitely difficult,” said Garner. “I will tell you this, Merced was so excited to see the property get revitalized. People were breathing on the windows to come in. It was really hard because when we opened, we had to do the social distancing; a lot of what we did had to be

outside on the street. It was dif ficult but even with that, people were coming because they were excited to see what it was look ing like inside and what we had done with the historic space and so it was really good.”

The lobby desk has board games and game pieces to play with on the custom tables that have checkers, chess, and trivial pursuit boards on them in the restaurant. Guests would never know that before the restaurant existed it was a bus station with the exposed beams that make up the ceiling, the décor, and the self-serve beer bar making it a one-of-a-kind experience.

“We wanted to offer a space where people could come sit there for hours and enjoy your self with your family or with your college buddies like the UC Merced students can hang out,” added Garner. “We are really proud of it. We are hop ing that we offer as many differ ent entertainment experiences possible in that space. I think there is literally something for everyone whether you like live performance or want to hang out with your family or friends; there is a myriad of ways to use that space.”

Quentin Garcia is the Execu tive Chef for all their restaurants in the hotel including Rainbird and the theater which features American comfort food.

The fun continues at the Mainzer with the main stage that offers a diverse lineup of entertainment where guests can dine, have drinks, and watch a show like the Killer Dueling Pianos, the Selena tribute band, drag night or the upcoming Tom Petty tribute band.

The gem upstairs called the cinema has an array of seating options from comfy couches to oversized chairs giving it a nice living room feel. There are several options in the cinema for guests to enjoy like movies, concerts, or a new lecture se ries where individuals discuss

important topics regarding the Central Valley. Guests can order food and drinks and have them delivered while watching mov ies or concerts in the cinema. They have a few self-serve beers for people to choose from up stairs.

“The little cinema upstairs, it is a real jewel,” Garner said. “We do very interesting pro gramming both on the main stage and in the cinema.”

They had their very first speakeasy last month which Garner shared was “a riot” with the Merced Symphony. They entered through the side door with a password and secret knock. Everyone was in 1920s attire and there was a jazz band from Fresno that performed.

“There is 100 years of experi ences in that theater space, that is a long time,” said Garner. “It means a lot to our area. Both of our properties do. When they were built it was unique and rev olutionary for our time and our area 100 years ago. We are try ing to bring that back now; it is important to us. I think the com munity has really embraced it.”

For those that may live out of town the beautifully renovated El Capitan offers valet parking, elegant rooms, and a short walk on Main Street to the Mainzer.

They offer brunch on Satur

The Mainzer in Merced has a whole spectrum of entertainment options, including live shows, movies, sporting events, games and special events.

days and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. where they serve up mi mosas and families and friends have been known to spend time enjoying the ambiance and play ing board games.

With football season under way, the Mainzer knows there are football fans in the 209 that may want to watch a game on the big screen. They will be showing some of the games on the big screen this football sea son.

“I am hoping that over time with both the hotel and the Mainzer, people start to look at Merced with fresh eyes,” re

marked Garner. “Me being part of the 209 and from the Valley we want to be surprising and ex citing in a way that really does speak to where we live and the uniqueness of where we live. We are not just a drive through area. We have an awful lot to offer and it is very much our own.”

To find out what all the buzz is truly about at the Mainzer, visit their website at themainzer. com or call 209-446-4001 or on social media: Facebook and Ins tagram@mainzermerced.

They are located at 655 West Main Street in Merced.

Photos contributed

Check out Studio209’s coverage at studio209.tv

THE CARE YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU WANT IT.

Health care should be hassle-free. At Kaiser Permanente, it is. With connected teams and flexible ways to access care, it’s easy to get the support you need to stay healthy — when and where you need it.

THE CARE YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU WANT IT.

Health care should be hassle-free. At Kaiser Permanente, it is. With connected teams and flexible ways to access care, it’s easy to get the support you need to stay healthy — when and where you need it.

IN PROFILE

HOW SWEET IT IS

BY SABRA STAFFORD 209 Business Journal

As the founder and owner of The Sweet Potato Pie Company, it may be surprising to learn that Catrice Prince-Claxton was not known as the baker in her fam ily. That honor belonged to her grandmother Delores Prince, who routinely bring out her rec ipe book and create desserts that delighted her family and friends.

Prince passed in 2003 and her recipe book went to PrinceClaxton, who tucked it away until two years later, when a feeling of nostalgia came over her and she took it down to try her hand at her grandmother’s sweet potato pie and pecan pie. It has proven to be a pivotal moment in her life. It was a hit among those that tasted it and launched her career path into a new direction.

“My whole family and friends were beating down my door to get some for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Prince-Claxton

said. “So, I found myself with a whole lot of orders.”

She was still working her full-time job, but when circum stances changed and she began spending more time caring for her granddaughter, the idea of making and selling the pies started to take shape.

Through lots of careful plan ning and hard work that idea has morphed into a brick-andmortar retail location with a va riety of pies, cakes, cookies and ice creams to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth cravings.

The Sweet Potato Pie Company is located at 2020 Coffee Road Suite C-4 in Modesto. The space may be small, but the taste is big in flavor, from the everpopular sweet potato pie to new creations, like the ube (purple yam) cheesecake.

With her grandmother’s reci pes as the base, Prince-Claxton has made some tweaks and ad ditions to make the pies some thing unique.

“It’s funny, but I don’t actually remember eating her sweet po tato pie,” Prince-Claxton said. “So, I didn’t have any pre-con ceived ideas as to how it should taste. Mine are distinctly differ ent. It’s the same recipe but the portions are different.”

And they have been finding favor in the community. Her mixed berry white chocolate cheesecake won the grand prize at the Merced Nut festival.

The sweet potato pies, both the minis and the large, use a graham cracker crust. Some of the treats that can be found in the shop include fruit tarts, carrot cakes, New York style cheesecakes, red velvet Bundt cakes, chocolate chip cookies, cranberry white chocolate cook ies, sweet potato pie ice cream, peach cobbler ice cream, pecan pie sweet potato cheesecake and a variety of seasonal selections.

At the shop visitors will find mini pies, cake slices, cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream pints. Whole pies and cakes are typi cally made to order. Those wish ing to order for Thanksgiving should have orders in by Nov. 17 and for Christmas orders need to be in by Dec. 19. To order or learn more about the products, visit thesweetpotatopieco.com.

Boutique brings fresh approach to style and brands

BY TERESA HAMMOND 209 Business Journal

This might just be a blend of fashion that area shoppers have been looking for.

Tucked away in the parking area of Oak Valley Commu nity Bank, Wynfull + Won der offers a variety of name brands for the brand minded, as well as affordable fashion finds

Boutique owner Adrianna Alves may call the city of Riverbank home, but she is excited to bring her love of comfort, style and fashion to the 95361.

With a physical address of 132 N. Yosemite Ave., Oak dale, the quaint brick store front faces the ever popular Third Avenue construction

zone. A fact which some new business owners might find daunting; Alves shared it’s al most fitting with how her life as an entrepreneur began.

According to Alves, she first began by making masks for family and friends in the spring of 2020. Making them simply for family and friends early on, she was encour aged by many to begin selling them.

“They started to sell,” Alves said, noting it sparked her in terest in going back to work and starting her own business.

As the popularity of her masks grew, she partnered with three shops in the valley. Boutiques at Tiffany’s in Oak dale was one of the shops.

“Tiffany was awesome with

me,” Alves said of the shop owner, encouraging her to start with a small space in the shop. “She allowed me to get a small little area and the next thing you know a year later I was in a bigger area.”

Beginning back in the busi ness world as a vendor was the perfect transition from the stay-at-home mom who longed to create something that was hers. As she did, the vendor space she occupied also grew and she began look ing for a shop space in the Oakdale area.

“It sparked something in me,” she said of her vendor space. “I really want to have something of my own, but searching for a commercial space is very difficult.”

Learning of the vacancy of the location she recently relo cated into, the business owner shared it just felt right.

“It’s been opportunity after opportunity to grow some thing I didn’t know I wanted,” she said.

Moving into the new space, Alves and her family made the transition happen in two quick weeks before opening her store. She also put some thought into the boutique name, prior to ordering the awning which graces the front of the building.

“We love our dogs and one of them, is just a really loving shepherd and she’s al ways very happy,” she said. “I

SABRA STAFFORD/209 Business Journal

Catrice Prince-Claxton has been building up a base of clients who rave about her sweet potato pies and other desserts.

TERESA HAMMOND/209 Business Journal

New business owner Adrianna Alves in her newly opened downtown Oakdale business Wynfull + Wonder, named for the love of her dogs.

IN PROFILE

Spanky’s Wieners introduces Turlock to the wild side of hot dogs

BY CHRISTOFFER CORREA 209 Business Journal

Frank Martinez has always found food trucks to be a cool and unique consumer expe rience. Considering his own love for hot dogs, it had been a dream of his for years to oper ate a food truck of his own. This past weekend, his dreams were finally made into a reality when he officially opened Spanky’s Wieners.

Spanky’s Wieners on 2370 N. Walnut Rd. offers over 10 hot dogs, each with a wild and unique twist. Martinez shared that the grand opening of his business on Oct. 8 was a long time coming.

“I really like the food truck idea,” Martinez said. “I’ve been talking about this idea for about the past five years now, maybe even longer. I wanted to make something happen, so I just de cided to make the move. I told myself, ‘You’re not going to ac

complish anything by not trying, so if I fail, at least I tried, and if I succeed, it’ll be awesome.’”

After working at Hilmar Cheese for over 15 years, Mar tinez left his job to focus on his

business endeavors full-time, with one of the first steps taken being to build the truck itself. In February, the truck began to be custom built by Modesto’s AP Welding and was completed

New infrared fitness studio in Riverbank

BY VIRGINIA STILL 209 Business Journal

There is a new way to burn off those calories in Riverbank at Hotworx 24-hour infrared fit ness studio. In a hot workout craze gyms have been turning up the heat with hot yoga, hot classes, and now there is a new way at Hotworx with infrared technology.

New franchisee Michael Wilkins opened Hotworx in the Crossroads Shopping Center at the end of September. New to not only the Hotworx fran chise but also the fitness world, Wilkins saw an opportunity and took it.

“Hotworx in general fell in my lap one day,” said Wilkins. “I researched it and it checked all the boxes I was looking for at that time and it is an outstand ing fitness program that is up and coming so I found it intrigu

ing. I looked into it and that is how it all started.”

The fitness studio is more in timate than a gym as it has nine saunas that fits three people at a time. The temperature ranges from 120 to 130 degrees, which seems uncomfortably hot and when you think of a sauna you think moisture but is more of dry type of heat. They are set to 125 degrees but can be adjusted. Infrared therapy has been used to treat pain and inflammation.

“With the infrared therapy they get a variety of results and benefits from that infrared ther apy,” stated Wilkins. “You can always go to a doctor and get infrared therapy isolated to one part of your body but yet this is a full body treatment.”

Some of the benefits from infrared therapy that Wilkins explained is muscle recovery, stress reduction, weight loss, cel

lulite reduction, increased calorie burn, detoxification, lowered blood pressure, and pain relief.

The cedarwood in the iso metric workout rooms has a softness on the bare feet where guests can do 30-minute classes like hot Pilates, hot yoga, hot buns, and hot core.

The high intensity saunas have machines where guests can do 15-minute workouts in a cycle session with hot cycle, hot blast total body session on the elliptical machine, or hot thun der on their rower machine.

“This is a super nice concept because it is consolidated,” ex pressed Wilkins. “Only three people can fit in the saunas at one time. A lot of people have really enjoyed that concept as it is more intimate.”

Currently the limited monthly rates are $54 a month with a $20 enrollment fee but will increase

in June. Now having the truck secured, Martinez had to go through the process of finding a location to park it. He explained that he posted photos of the truck’s build along alongside some of the unique hot dogs to give people an idea of the vision he had for the business. Eventu ally, Jesse Henrich of Turlock Hydroponics approached Mar tinez with the opportunity of parking his truck in front of his store.

“The parking lot here is pretty spacious, so it felt like the per fect opportunity,” Martinez said. “Jesse is a big part of why I’m stationed here, so I appreci ate him a lot.”

Within the parking lot, the food truck is hard to miss. A glossy, white build with the business’ own logo reading “Spanky’s Wieners” is sure to catch the attention of anybody driving or strolling by.

“Spanky has been my nick

name for almost my entire life. All my family knows me as Spanky and even my boss es when I worked at Hilmar Cheese called me Spanky. Al most nobody actually calls me Frank,” Martinez explained. “I wanted a name that was going to pop. It’s kind of edgy and the whole purpose is to make people laugh and put smiles on faces, and I guess with my nick name it worked out perfectly.”

While the name is one to be re membered, Martinez hopes that the thing that stands out most are the hot dogs and their un likely toppings. From mac and cheese to Hot Cheetos to carne asada or to peanut butter & jelly, Martinez is confident that cus tomers won’t find a menu quite like this in the region.

According to Martinez, the most popular hot dogs on the menu thus far include the Elote

to $59 a month and a $99 enroll ment fee. They had a list of new members before opening and have been signing people up on a regular basis. The fitness stu dio is open 24/7 for members.

The FX Zone is a free weight area that members are allowed

to use in between workout ses sions in the saunas.

“Everyone seems to be really enjoying it,” remarked Wilkins. “I had one of the members the other day break down in tears over how happy she was that I

VIRGINIA STILL/209 Business Journal

Hotworx Franchise Owner Michael Wilkins and his daughters Rebecca Dixon, and Summer Wilkins have been signing up mem bers and giving tours since opening at the end of September.

CHRISTOPHER CORREA/209 Business Journal

Frank Martinez and his fiancé Christina Ruiz are giving Turlock a whole new hot dog experience with Spanky’s Wieners.

National Hotel history continues to allure

BY MARG JACKSON 209 Business Journal

It is one of the most historic landmarks in Jamestown, by way of a business, and while many things from the past might come and go, the historic Na tional Hotel is not one of them.

Reportedly the fifth propri etor and first woman owner in 163 years of business at the Na tional Hotel, is new owner Edy Headley.

“I’m super excited about it. It’s amazing,” Headley said of transitioning ownership from Steven Willey, the former owner of 47 years.

A story which is almost ser endipitous by nature, Headley shared she did not arrive in Jamestown early this year in search of a new business, new home and new career. To the contrary, she arrived at The Na tional Hotel in early January as a guest, seeking rest and re charge from her life in San Luis Obispo.

Resident of the central coast town since the early 1990s, Headley said she had retired from 27 years as a dental assis tant, which led her to work in home healthcare. With a client up in age, the empty nester had made the trip to relax, yet was uncertain what was next for her.

“I just started praying for God to show me, where I should come next,” she said, not ing that with her children now grown and succeeding in life, she was uncertain as to where her life would lead.

According to the new owner, it was the influence and knowl edge of National Hotel longtime bartender/mixologist, Rhonda Munroe who got her wheels spinning. Stating Munroe toured her around the property upon her check-in and showed her to her room, the bartender was freely sharing history and fun facts of the 163-year-old building. Concluding with for the right amount of money it

could be hers.

“I was super excited,” Head ley said.

So much so she extended her stay by a few days to check things out and truly consider if this was something she really wanted to do.

While her primary back ground was in dentistry, Head ley had spent a stint of time owning and operating a gour met deli in Edna, California.

Located in a 1905 mercantile, the businesswoman shared she’s always had a long-time love for old buildings and their charm, as well as the food industry.

“It just almost became intoxi cating, this building, this adven ture,” she said of contemplating the purchase.

Not one to jump the gun, over the course of the next month she had discussions with Willey and also visited every other week to get a true feel for the business as well as the area.

Once her offer was accepted and transition plans put in place, the new owner was quick to re assure staff there would be no changes, only additions, to the staff to accommodate her future business plans. She also has no intention or interest in making any changes to the building.

“It’s an absolute gem. It’s absolutely incredibly beautiful. The history is phenomenal,” she said. “To be honest, I don’t know what we would possibly change.”

Headley may not have plans of changing her staff and struc ture; however, she does have ex citing changes planned for the business. A big impact will be made in the National restaurant and saloon, with plans of being open seven days a week. A fact the new owner said she felt im portant with its adjacency to the hotel. The goal once open seven days will be to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with brunch being served on Sundays.

“There’s so much history

here. For the saloon, we’re go ing to have a Happy Hour in the Gold Rush Saloon, which is what it was originally called,” she said.

As the focus on the food will continue, increasing the kitchen help as well as adding an addi tional bartender and bar back will also be needed for the new business model.

“Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday’s menu will be differ ent from the traditional menu,” she said. “Just really bringing in the local community. That’s kind of my biggest focus right now.”

Those menu “differences” will include: Tuesday Tacos and Margaritas, but not the regular street taco. Tacos with a little more flare like lobster and shrimp tacos. Mainly focusing on a higher end taco. Wednes day will be Burgers and Brew — huge gourmet hamburgers and eight more taps for beer will be added. Saturday mornings and continuing until about 3 p.m. will be Saturday Motherlode, “outrageous Bloody Mary’s”

loaded with a variety of unique toppings, seafood, crab, lobster, antipasto, grilled cheese sand wich. The Bloody Mary’s will be mixed by Mixologist Mun roe, who holds a number of awards for her Bloody Mary’s as well as a patent on her mixture.

“We’re just going to really elab orate on that,” Headley said of the community focus. “Those are things we’re working currently on. I’m working with the Chef and two other marketers to make sure we can buy the best products because that’s what we want.”

Lastly, the historian enthu siast shared her excitement of bringing the “Local Executive Membership Club” to the ven ue. Each night patrons come in with the card they can receive up to two beers per visit for $3, or two glasses of wine for $3 per night.

Live music on the patio has also been added during the week and weekends, which is being enjoyed by patrons.

“We have great events. A lot more locals are coming in. I’m just excited about it, being here

in Jamestown,” Headley said. “It has this nostalgia; you can’t surpass it.”

The hotel portion of the building will remain intact as it has been since its inception. The property hosts nine rooms, complete with the 1859 décor and each with its own bath room. Guests are also privy to the “soaking room,” which fea tures a two-person clawfoot tub. There is also a shared balcony on the top floor where hotel guests can enjoy a beverage in the evening or nice cup of coffee in the morning.

As for the charm and her love for the building, Headley cannot seem to say enough about all of its attributes.

“The bar is just amazing. Peo ple love to come down there and stay and talk,” she said.

“I’m not changing anything at all (in the bar),” Headley contin ued. “I think the bar is probably the most beautiful bar I’ve ever been in. I say that because it has history. The history is so rich. I couldn’t even imagine changing anything, nor the restaurant.”

Photos contributed

Changes like expanded hours of operation and new menu items are coming for the National Hotel in Jamestown.

Reportedly the fifth proprietor and first woman owner in 163 years of business at the National Hotel, is new owner Edy Headley.

Manteca ■ 209.249.3500

Oakdale ■ 209.847.3021

Turlock ■ 209.634.9141 Newman ■ 209.862.2222

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Should you sign up for a nonprofit board?

“A local nonprofit organi zation has asked me to join its board of directors. It’s a real honor for me, and a cause I believe in, but I’m just a little nervous about my legal responsibilities. Could you tackle those at some point?”

You bet. A lot of nonprofit startups are looking to “build their boards” right now, and even yours truly has received a couple of invitations. Join ing a nonprofit’s board of directors can be a singular honor, a sign that you have “arrived” in your community and a terrific opportunity to network with the rich, power ful and/or influential people who normally join nonprofit boards. If you want to hob nob with the 1 percenters, find out which charities they support and get involved.

But, as with all businessrelated activities, there are

some risks.

The first question you need to ask is: Why are you — of all people — being asked to join the board? There are three possible reasons you are being invited:

— Your skills: Startup non profits look for people with business experience, philan thropic giving experience and leadership skills.

— Your contacts: As a board member, you will be expected to help with fund raising activities. How deep is your Outlook Contacts list?

— You are fresh meat: The organization has reached a stage where the only board

members are worker bees, and outside directors are re quired by law to approve matters such as employee com pensation and transactions between the organization and its other (inside) directors. As an outside director, your vote on these matters will be criti cal.

The next question you should ask is: What is the time commitment involved? Nonprofit organizations can be notorious time vampires that will make large demands of your time, especially at in convenient times of the year for your business or other revenue-generating activities that simply must take priority.

The next question you should ask (yourself, not the organization’s personnel) is: Why do I want to do this? Is it because: — You believe in the orga

nization’s mission. (This is the correct answer.)

— You want to network with the other directors and wealthy donors.

— You are looking for a public relations opportunity to help promote other things you are doing.

The next question you should ask (yourself, again) is: Is the image I will have by joining this organization consistent with other activi ties in which I’m involved? If, for example, you are a lo cal politician known for your die-hard conservative politi cal opinions, you might want to think twice about joining organizations that tend to support left-leaning causes. If people at cocktail parties are asking you, “Why are you in with those people?” your activities are probably send

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

WelbeHealth Modesto center opens to serve medically frail seniors

STAFF REPORTS

209 Business Journal

Physician-led healthcare or ganization WelbeHealth and Northern California-based healthcare network Sutter Health have opened a new cen ter in Modesto that serves medi cally frail seniors.

Located at 1224 Scenic Drive, the center is designated a Pro gram of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly alternative care set ting. Integrated with Welbe Health and Sutter’s PACE center in Stockton, the new Modesto location provides day services to PACE-eligible medically frail seniors age 55 and over.

The center, which will em ploy more than 100 full- and part-time employees when at capacity, features: Physical and occupational therapy; personal

CLIFF

FROM PAGE 7

care and supportive services; meals and nutritional counsel ing; recreational therapy; and access to in-home care and mo bile clinic.

The new Modesto center addresses a community need, since only a fraction of the over 3,000 PACE-eligible se niors in Stanislaus County are receiving PACE services, according to a WelbeHealth analysis of U.S. Census data and the Medi-Cal Managed Care Enrollment Report.

At the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Modesto Center, held in early October, officials, local lead ers, and community partners came together in support of the impact WelbeHealth is al ready making on the Modesto community. Among those in

attendance were Vice Mayor of Modesto David Wright, Mayor Nancy Young of Tracy, Denise Sahatdjian, Field Representative for Senator Feinstein, and Joel Reyna, Field Representative for Senator Susan Talamantes-Egg man.

“WelbeHealth was built on the mission of serving our most

nization’s leadership: No. 1: Does your state have a “volun teer” exemption from liability?

vulnerable seniors with greater quality and compassion in un derserved communities,” said WelbeHealth CEO Si France, M.D. “As the first provider of PACE services in Modesto since 2019, we are proud to comple ment our care with a beautiful facility.”

PACE is a national Medicare

and Medicaid program that helps keep seniors living in their own homes instead of nursing homes. PACE programs are proven to reduce depression, lower hospitalizations, decrease rehospitalizations, reduce nurs ing home admissions and im prove preventive care, according to recent data from the National PACE Association.

“We are proud to partner with WelbeHealth to enrich the lives of seniors, their caregivers and the broader community,” said Christopher Stanley, M.D., Sut ter Health’s chief population health officer. “WelbeHealth shares our commitment to high-quality, community-based healthcare services that help frail older adults anticipate problems and prevent hospitalization or early entry into a nursing home.”

ing mixed messages and you will need to have a pretty good way of reconciling them.

If you are joining an organization that is promoting a cause that will hurt the interests of your current employer or your small business, think hard and long before joining. You may be choosing be tween your value system and your finan cial health.

Last but not least, you need to ask three very pointed questions of the orga

BOUTIQUE

FROM PAGE 4

wanted to integrate how happy she was.”

Turning to Google and a word search, she happened upon Wynfull, which she shared is Old English for ‘happy’.

“The wonder part, is the child hood wonder of my pets,” she said of her three dogs. “I have a son, he’ll be 17 in December

Virtually all states have a statute that exempts “volunteers” in charitable orga nizations from legal liability of any kind. But some of those statutes have fine print, and you need to know what the limitations are. For example, if the stat ute protects you from liability if you are “negligent” in the performance of your duties as a board member, will you be protected if someone sues you for “gross negligence” in your duties?

A “volunteer” by definition does not receive compensation of any kind from the organization. If you are receiving any

and our business is named af ter our dogs. So, it just goes to show you how important my dogs are.”

The quaint space has been filled by Alves with an inventory which offers a variety of fashion options, as well as gift items and a recently added bridal acces sory line.

“My purpose is to try and marry brand names so Oakdale doesn’t have to drive to the near est mall or Nordstrom,” she said of her assortment. Wyn

sort of fee for serving as a director, you are no longer a “volunteer” and may be liable for your actions. Watch out also for expense reimbursements. If you are required to fly to Washington, D.C., and testify on behalf of your organization before a congressional subcommittee, and the organization is reimbursing your travel expenses, does that make you no longer a “volunteer” under the exemp tion statute?

No. 2: Will the organization indemnify you from lawsuits?

In the unlikely event that the volunteer board members are sued personally be cause of something the organization did or did not do, will the organization pay

full + Wonder carries name brands: Sanctuary, Steve Mad den, XCVI, Z Supply, Hobo and Bolsa Nova. Brands Tommy Bahama and Free People will be added in the spring.

“At the same time, I try to do boutique styles, which are less in price because they’re not brand name,” she added, “but they have the style so I try to marry them both.”

Alves also noted that while she’s happy to offer brands to shoppers, due to the size of the

your legal expenses and any judgment that is rendered against you? Again, state laws vary as to when an organization is obligated to do this, and when it isn’t. No. 3: Is there insurance to back up that indemnity obligation?

If the organization is just starting up, it probably won’t be able to afford liabil ity insurance for its directors and officers (so-called D&O coverage). This is expen sive insurance, and many organizations will try to persuade you that as a volun teer you have nothing to worry about. Get that promise in writing if you can — and a written commitment from the organization to purchase D&O insur ance for you as soon as it can do so.

boutique she won’t host the en tire line, but will have a nice va riety.

“What I wanted to do, is that customer connection,” she said of her goal as a business own er. “When anybody walks in, they’re a friend. They’re sup porting me. They’re coming to visit me, they’re coming visit the store, they’re coming to check it out and that means the world to me.”

“The difference is the connec tion to the customer,” she added

of transitioning from a vendor space to a storefront, “and me being able to put the special touch in the store instead of me sharing myself with a group in a larger store. It’s putting my sig nature on it.”

There’s also the responsibil ity of being committed to being in the space 100 percent of the time as the primary employee. Currently the shop hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WelbeHealth Modesto center opens to serve medically frail seniors

San Joaquin County second in apple growth

BY DENNIS WYATT 209 Business Journal

An apple a day keeps the doc tor away.

That 120 years plus appropria tion of a proverb was fashioned to boost the consumption of apples.

Research in western Aus tralia, England and the State of Washington all point to no matter how you slice it apples have anti-oxidants in their skins, triterpenoids that suppress in flammation, probiotic fiber that feeds good bacteria in the gut, and other properties that reduce cardiovascular disease and may even extend longevity.

Ripon organic farmer Steve Chinchiolo sees no reason to dispute such findings.

But as far as Chinchiolo — who along with sons Alex and Adam as well as daughter An drea farm more than 80 acres of various fruits dominated by apple trees in the Ripon area — is convinced eating apples make sense because they taste good.

And when they are picked fresh from the tree, they can lit erally be snapped in half with your bare hands to reveal a smooth, juicy and cool inside as Alex demonstrated recently on the family orchard on Carrolton Avenue.

That apple Alex picked and broke into two perfect halves is just one of 38,200 tons of apples San Joaquin County farmers grow in a year.

San Joaquin is only second

to El Dorado among California counties for apple production.

El Dorado, home of “Apple Hill” and its collective of more than three dozen tourist orien tated apple operations, produced a $40.8 million crop in 2020. San Joaquin County came in second at $23.8 million.

The top five is rounded out by Santa Cruz at $20.3 million, Sonoma at $7.2 million, and San Bernadino at $3.8 million.

Apples grow well in San Joa quin County for the same reason watermelons and grapes do.

The sandy loam, heat, and cooling Delta breezes pump up the sugar content.

It is why San Joaquin — and not Napa, Sonoma or even Monterrey — is the top Califor nia county for producing wine grapes.

As far as watermelons are concerned in 2020, San Joaquin County led the state in water melon production at 167 million pounds. That was almost half the 366.1 million pounds grown in the Central Valley.

Four apple varieties flourish in San Joaquin County — Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady.

The advantage California ap ples have when it comes to serv ing markets is simple.

Crops are ready to pick three weeks on average ahead of Washington’s harvest. At the same time imports from the Southern Hemisphere have waned.

That said, the California har vest that has just started gets some stiff competition from Washington this time of year in the form of the remnants of last year’s crop being released from cold storage and hitting the mar ket.

Chinchiolo doesn’t knock the season-old Washington com petition noting they still taste good. But they are no match for freshness for the organic apples his family grows — and you can pick yourself at his Carrolton Avenue orchard

Think of farming in San Joa quin County and crops such as almonds, grapes, pumpkins, and cherries come to mind.

Washington is by far the lead ing apple growing state while Calfiornia ranks fifth.

Meanwhile California, is still the run-away-leader among the states in annual ag production with the overall value of crops reaching $49.097 billion last year. The Golden State produces the lion’s share of the nation’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

No. 2 on the list of states

at $26 billion is Iowa, followed by Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, and Kansas.

San Joaquin is the seventh largest farm county in California with $3.031 billion in ag produc tion. Neighboring Stanislaus County is sixth at $3.403 billion. Topping the list at $7.9 billion is Fresno County.

If San Joaquin County were a state, it would rank 34th right after Tennessee with $3.6 billion in farm production and before South Carolina with $3 billion in crop output.

A worker picks organic apples at Lucky You orchard in rural Ripon.

Photo contributed

keeping businesses connected™

MUSEUM

FROM PAGE 1

portunities to engage in learn ing-centered play, beyond what they can access at home, at school or at traditional museum environments.

Barber serves as the president of the Modesto Children’s Mu seum and explained how the idea of bringing a space like this to Stanislaus County came to fruition between her and the other Board members.

“We’re all parents and we’re also all passionate about mak ing the community festive and particularly investing in our lo cal children,” she said. “We re ally just wanted to create a safe space for families to connect and to support each other and focus on education.”

Once completed, the museum will feature 10 unique exhibits that will allow children to par ticipate in hands-on learning activities, including a maker’s space, numerous science spaces, a library area, a performance stage, a geography room, a wa ter play area, agriculture room and more. Each of the exhibits

will be unique to the Modesto museum and won’t be found anywhere else. But it won’t just be for the younger children to experience, as teenage and col lege-aged volunteers will be ac cepted.

“It’s meant to encourage caregivers to be involved in the experience,” Barber said. “All of our exhibits are designed so that both children and adults can participate. It’s a very openended educational experience, where every kid might approach in different ways. It’s not like a tour guided experience; we want kids to really use their imagina tion.”

In addition, the museum plans on including low sensory rooms for children with autism and other special needs.

“We really want to make this space accessible to all children in our area,” Barber said.

Barber explained that accessi bility also has much to do with location. While children’s muse ums can be found in larger cities across the nation, the nearest are in San Francisco, and though she believes they are great, she realizes that not everybody can travel or afford the experience.

The design and featured activ

SPANKY

FROM PAGE 5

Dawg, the Casper Dog, the Chili Dog and the Spanky Supreme. The Elote Dawg features corn, mayo, cotija cheese and chili powder. The Casper Dog is a popular Bay Area dog that features cheese, mustard, relish tomato and on ion. The Chili Dog is another traditional dog that features chili, cheese, tomato and onion. Meanwhile, the Spanky Su preme includes carne asada, onions, bell pepper and nacho cheese.

Some of the crazier hot dogs on the menu are the K Dogg, the Mac Dogg and the Frito Boat Dog. The K Dogg includes bacon, peanut butter and straw berry jelly. The Mac Dogg has bacon, mac and cheese and hot Cheeto crum bles. The Frito Boat Dog features Frito chips, chili, nacho cheese and onions.

And for those who want to get really risky, the truck offers what they call the Mystery Mutt, which is basically what ever Martinez feels like throwing on a hot dog at that given time. Luckily, cus

ities for the Modesto Children’s Museum are a culmination of ideas from the organization’s 13 board members. Barber shared that a new member of the team, Carol Scott, has been essential in the quick progress they have been making, as she has helped build three children’s museums across the nation.

“While we were planning and visiting all around the country, we probably visited more than 40 children’s museums connect ing with their leadership, Car ol’s name kept coming up. She’s really an expert. Carol is some body that was experienced and knew how to make this work,” Barber said.

In addition to Scott joining the team, the group began work ing with Gyroscope Inc., which is a company that specializes in architectural services for mu seums, libraries, visitor centers and other cultural institutions. Barber explained that with the pace they are on with fundrais ing and the progress they’ve made with indoor renovations at their newly acquired space, things could align perfectly come springtime.

“Whenever the building is ready, the exhibits and in

tomers can also take control with the Spanky Your Way option, which allows customers to pick and choose their own toppings.

“We have our menu, but if there’s any thing specific you want, we can make it for you. And you never know, some of the creations we make can make it onto the permanent menu,” Martinez said.

At the time of this publication, Mar tinez shared that the food truck is still working out its hours of operation.

“I have my fiancé helping me out and it’s a new experience for both of us,” he said. ‘We’re still figuring out the flow and what works for us.”

Eventually, the truck will be open for six days out of the week with hours of operation being between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. For now, Martinez encourages people to follow @SpankysWieners on Instagram and Spanky’s Wieners on Facebook.

“From never working in a food trailer before and quitting my job, it was a risk, but even after three days being out here, it’s already rewarding,” Martinez said.

“I’m looking forward to see where this all goes and I’m just extremely grateful.”

stallments will be ready to be shipped, which is very exciting,” Barber said.

With the expected opening being in the spring and with mu seum renderings being approved and published on the organiza tion’s website, they have already received inquiries from school districts from across the state re garding field trip opportunities. The interest spiked again last month when the organization held an event for local educators where they shared the vision of the museum. Board members such as Patty Ramirez have also set up shop at the Turlock Cer tified Farmers Market to help spread the word.

The Modesto Children’s Museum is in the homestretch of its fundraising efforts. Since the idea came to fruition in 2019, the entire project has been funded through donations from community members and organizations, such as the Tur lock Irrigation District, Hilmar Cheese, the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation and Stanislaus County. The organization has recently set a goal of raising an additional $1,500,000 before next spring. So far, they are just over halfway to that ed point.

FITNESS

FROM PAGE 5

brought this to the community. It was very touching. Everyone knows their body better than anyone else. Pay at tention to those aches and pains and see how they diminish. You would be surprised at the results.”

Wilkins has lived in Modesto for the past nine years and has five chil dren that graduated from Enochs High School so the location in the Crossroads shopping was very ap pealing to him. The business is fam ily owned and family ran with three of his children running the day-today business with him.

There are plans to have a grand opening and ribbon cutting soon.

“I feel both nervous and excited,” shared Wilkins of opening a new business. “This is my first fitness busi ness. I have never been into health and fitness to be honest with you and with that said it never discouraged me either. There are just over 300 currently open but expanding fast.”

The project will also receive a significant boost in funds start ing in October thanks to the Boyett family of Boyett Petro leum in Modesto.

“We are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous matching grant from the Boyett Family Foundation,” Barber shared. “All donations to the museum from October to the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $125,000. It is a great opportunity for the community to double their do nation.”

Community members are en couraged to visit their website at www.modestochildrensmuseum.org to learn more about the project, view the official exhibit renderings or to donate. The latest updates on the museum can be found through their so cial media channels, which is Modesto Children’s Museum on Facebook, @ModestoChild rensMuseum on Instagram and @ModestoKids on Twitter.

“We are so close, and we’re really counting on the commu nity to come through for us so that the goal of opening next spring is a reality,” Barber said.

In today’s mobile world, it’s more important than ever for companies to have instant, mobile-friendly information available as easily as possible, or else people tend to move on to someone who does. Life moves too quickly to look for hard-to-find stuff.

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PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC.

U.S. Chamber award for Congressman Representative Josh Harder won the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Advo cate for American Business Award. The award recogniz es Rep. Hard er’s strong track record of work ing across the aisle to support Central Valley businesses and create good paying jobs. This is Rep. Harder’s third consecutive award from the US Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded the Abra ham Lincoln Leadership for America

Award in both 2020 and 2021.

“I’m laser focused on bringing more good paying jobs to this community, and I’m honored to be recognized for that work,” said Rep. Harder. “Every worker in the Valley should have a good job close to home, and every student in our com munity should grow up knowing there’s work for them right here in the Valley. We’ll keep working until we make that a reality.”

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to present Congressman Josh Harder with the Advocate for Ameri can Business award in recognition of his legislative efforts in support of the busi ness community,” said U.S. Chamber Western Region Vice President Jennings Imel. “Congressman Harder led the fight to defeat the stepped-up basis tax on fam ily farms. As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, he also played a key role in securing bipartisan support for historic

DHM employees bestowed with service awards

Doctors Hospital of Manteca celebrat ed milestone service awards for some of their employees in October.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to this year’s service award recipients. This is such a special opportunity for us to rec ognize our employees for their invalu able contributions to Doctors Hospital of Manteca and their many years of service,” said Eleze Armstrong, CEO of Doctors Hospital of Manteca. “We have team members who are celebrating 20, 25 and 30 years of service. What a wonderful testament to the dedication of our employees and their longstanding commitment to making sure we provide quality, compassionate care in the com munities we serve.”

New Executive Director for Golden Valley Health

Francine Foley is the new Executive Director of Golden Valley Health Cen ters Foundation. She will lead fundraising, donor and resource development, donor relations, and overall foundation operations.

Foley brings over 20 years of expe rience in non-profit organizations, in addition to 20 years of experience in the medical field. She is a member of Modesto Metro Rotary and serves on the Board of Enrich and Employ. She has been involved with many committees and collaborations throughout Stanislaus County.

Lending in Your Community

infrastructure investments.”

Magy Cortes (Lab Supervisor) and Terri Locke-Barton (Registration Associ ate) were both recognized for 30 years of service. Magy was hired on April 6, 1992, and Terri was hired on July 6, 1992.

Congressman Josh Harder