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BUSINESS JOURNAL
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OCTOBER 2020
VOLUME 5 ■ ISSUE 10
IN PROFILE
CERES DRIVE-IN RETURNS
Little Red Door aims to give to give discarded fashion a second chance in their new downtown Turlock shop.
PAGE 5
IN PROFILE
JEFF BENZIGER/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
Mark Stotzer of Lucky Shoe Productions is excited about the prospect of bringing back big screen entertainment at the Ceres Drive-In, which has been darkened for approximately two decades.
Promoters hope investment for Ceres Drive-in pays off BY JEFF BENZIGER Dying Breed Brewing in Oakdale opened in May with 14 different beers on tap.
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209 Business Journal
he marriage of cinema and Americans’ fascination with the automobile caused drive-in theaters to remain a staple of entertainment generations ago. With the advent of the VHS tape, the DVD and now internet streaming for movies, the drive-in slowly disappeared. But with COVID-19 and social distancing the norm, drive-in movies are making a comeback. Mark Stotzer of Lucky Shoe Productions – a promotor of large-scale concert venues who restored the classic Golden State Theater in Monterey – is hoping his investment of time and money to resurrect the Ceres Drive-In will pay off in the era of TikTok. The Ripon resident and his crew of 16 have been scurrying to open the Ceres Drive-In the weekend of Sept. 25-27. Plans are to run movies Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and charge $30 per carload. “The timing was right,” said Stotzer, who has built pop-up theaters all over California. “For us, this is kind of a passion project. I want to keep my people working and frankly there’s nothing to do and it’s getting really boring around here and it’s sad that I have to drive to Sacramento or San Jose to get a true drive-in.” Because Hollywood isn’t releasing many new movies due to COVID-related governmentforced closure of theaters, hit
movies from the past will be shown initially. On occasion he would like to blend films with event themes, such as showing the American Graffiti alongside a classic car show. “We’ll try to do the new movies when we can. We’re also going to do concert live streams. It’s a very dynamic environment right now. But the thing is right now the only way to do entertainment whether it’s concerts or whether it’s film is drive-in. For us it’s all about having a venue to do it.” Stotzer and his partners obtained a lease from the owner of the property, Harbins Gil of H&H Enterprises. The northern half of the property – which was site of a second movie screen – will remain in use for truck parking while the theater yard perimeter will be screen off for a continuation of the weekend flea market operation. Stotzer and crew have been cleaning up the movie lot, striping the parking lot and making other improvements. It’s been a huge undertaking, including the resurfacing and recoating the giant screen which last saw the flicker of a movie projector about two decades ago. “This whole lot had gotten filled with garbage because basically the last owners had given up on it years before they sold it,” said Stotzer. “This property had become unmanaged; you can imagine what became of it.” The Ceres Drive-In will operate under an existing conditional use permit approved by the
city years ago. Concessions will be sold from the existing stand which also contains offices. A special priced “boxed seating” covered area will be designated closest to the screen so that people can view from chairs out of their car and socially distanced. “It’ll include food and be set up like outdoor dining, still socially distanced. Right now according to state guidance you can sit outside your car, you just have to sit in front of your car. We’re marking each of these spots 12 feet apart and that allows for social distancing. It reduces capacity a little bit but we’re still fine.” The conditional use permit allows for a sign to be placed at the Whitmore Avenue entrance at Blaker Road. Stotzer said the sign will be temporary sign. “We’d like this to last forever but it could also last one month. It’ll be interesting to see how the market takes to it and if people want to pay $30. If they want to pay 10 bucks it’s not sustainable. You don’t make much money at this game and it’s a very expensive game to be in.” He estimates that the drive-in will have to draw 100 vehicles per night to make the theater profitable to operate. “If we can’t sell hundred cars we shouldn’t be running a movie,” said Stotzer. Four armed security guards will be posted. “I will always spend the extra money to make people feel
comfortable and to make it legitimately safe. Not that we’re going to have a problem out here but I want people to know we’re not going to have a problem out here.” Stotzer would like to eventually restore a marque sign which greets cars as they enter along the Whitmore ingress west of the cemetery but it’s so costly he’s seeking donations through GoFundMe.com at gf.me/u/ywg2am. Movies will be advertised on Facebook page under “driveinceres” and also on the website, Ceresdrivein.com Drive-in theaters go back to the 1930s with the first drive-in theater patented in Camden, New Jersey by chemical company magnate Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. who applied for a patent of his invention on August 6, 1932, and he was given U.S. Patent 1,909,537 on May 16, 1933. After the end of World War II, rising car ownership and suburban and rural population led to a boom in drive-in theaters with hundreds being opened annually. By 1951, the number of drivein movie theaters in the United States had increased from its 1947 total of 155 to 4,151. Driveins peaked in popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in rural areas, with over 4,000 drive-ins spread across the United States in 1958. Locally, drive-ins operated in Modesto (where there were two), and one in Keyes.
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
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OCTOBER 2020
IN PROFILE
DE VEGA BROTHERS A little piece of Italy BY VIRGINIA STILL 209 Business Journal
De Vega Brothers Rafael and Alberto have been serving up Italian cuisine to the 209 for over two decades. The restaurant is truly a family affair with the brothers, wives, children, nephews and even their dad putting in blood, sweat and tears for the restaurant’s success. The fine dining restaurant is located at Stone Creek Village in Stockton on Pacific Avenue. The wide-ranging menu has stayed relatively the same since their humble beginnings with the exception of a few changes and specials. They prepare all their own sauces and pride themselves in bringing fresh tasty dishes to their customers. In the beginning the brothers worked for other Italian restaurants where they took on many roles like dishwashing, serving, and cooking. They both learned recipes and techniques that they implemented into their own creations and skillset. “For many days, many weeks, many years I worked … I learned everything and I would keep it in my head,” said Alberto. “I kept dreaming of opening my own restaurant one day.” “So, we would get together and talk about opening our restaurant,” added Rafael. “We were working for these people and we had been working in Italian restaurants all these years. We knew how to make all the Italian dishes and we knew how to create new dishes. So, I was like why don’t we open our own restaurant and start putting ourselves up there. It took us 10 years to save money and open our own restaurant.”
Although they did not have any experience owning a restaurant, they had experience in all the other positions. The first few months were extremely hard for them trying to figure everything out back in 1999 when they opened what they call a ‘hole in the wall’ as their original location in Manteca was very small. “It was hard the first time. It was scary because we put everything on the line,” stated Rafael. “We had to go for it and if we don’t make it, we will have to start again from the bottom. If you never try, you are never going to find out if it is going to happen or not so that is what we did.” It didn’t take long before they had customers lining up. “We had a moment where we realized we made our dreams happen,” expressed the brothers. “This is the American dream. Dreams come true in America.” They relocated to a different location on Main Street in Manteca and after being asked by several customers to open a place in Stockton they opened another location in Brookside. They opened the Stone Creek Village restaurant 10 years ago and have since closed down the other locations. “We have families and it was getting too hard,” explained Rafael, “It is not about the money, but we need to have a life. When we had a day off all we did was sleep. So, we decided to just focus on this beautiful restaurant.” They are open for lunch and dinner and have a happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily with drink and appetizer specials. The full bar has an extensive wine list and a variety of
VIRGINIA STILL/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
De Vega Brothers is serving up Italian dishes at Stone Creek Village in Stockton.
cocktails like the Hawaiian Ocean, Paradise, an Appletini, Sunrise, and an Old Fashioned to name a few, hand crafted by Joanne, the wife of Alberto De Vega. De Vega Brothers also caters, has an outdoor patio for dining and offers takeout. Although their dining room is closed due to the coronavirus, they do have outdoor seating on their patio and have even extended out into the common area of the shopping center to adhere to the social distancing guidelines. The appetizer menu has tasty selections including the guest favorite Coconut Shrimp, Steamed Clams Bordelaise, Crab Cakes,
Fried Calamari strips, and of course Bruschetta that can be ordered with a twist, adding some Ahi Tuna. Lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and along with an assortment of salads like the Calamari Caesar Salad, Greek Chick-
en Salad, House Steak Salad, and Salmon Salad there are several entrée options that are ‘Delizioso.’ The lunch menu has traditional pasta dishes and sandwiches served up with French fries, salad or soup, as well as a few hearty dish-
es like the Pork Chop, TriTip, or Greek Chicken. On the dinner menu there is something for everyone. Whether you want a vegetarian dish, steak, pork, chicken, veal, seaSEE DE
VEGA,
PAGE 5
18TH ANNUAL
De Vega Brothers Location: 5757 Pacific Ave, Suite A140 Stockton, CA 95207 Hours: Monday Thursday 11am - 9pm Friday - Saturday 11am - 10pm Closed Sunday
Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Contact information: (209) 323-4339
Find all 12 checkpoints hidden in the maze and win a FREE medium-sized pumpkin!
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FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS • 10 A.M. TO 10 P.M. AND SUNDAYS 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. 2665 Sperry Ave. • 1/2 mile east of I-5, Patterson
(209) 892-2015
WWW.FANTOZZIFARMS.COM Follow us on Facebook and Instagram • New this year: Drive-thru Haunted Maze! Face masks required
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
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IN PROFILE
A Hidden Gem
Amador Flower Farm & Nursery BY CLAUDIA NEWCORN 209 Business Journal
We’re all looking for close-to-home escapes these days, and one of our region’s hidden gems is the Amador Flower Farm & Nursery. From countless different colorful daylilies sprouting across 14 acres of rolling farmland to a delightful kid-friendly pumpkin patch and outdoor picnic area, it’s the perfect family day trip up into the foothills. FLOWERS GALORE Located just outside of Plymouth, nestled in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley foothills and surrounded by boutique wineries, AFFN specializes in daylilies, with over 1000 varieties spread in walkable rows on the grounds. For those of you who think daylilies come in one color – orange – think again. Think every color you can imagine – and more. Ruffled edges. Ornate patterns. Huge. Tall. Small. Delicate. Just a few of the words that popped into my head as I ambled
about, ogling the incredible diversity of these flowers that are happy in the Central Valley’s dry sunny climate. Established in 1996, the nursery is open to the public, no admission needed. The AFFN acres’ peak bloom usually runs June through August; however, the flowers continue to bloom through Fall. After you park, head for the charming wooden building and gift shop to pick up information cards about daylilies before you start exploring. There’s a good reason to do this. While the plants showcase the lilies, most are also available in pots and in early Spring as bare root bulbs. Every row of pots is labeled with codes to help you select which ones would be best for your garden. There are over 20 abbreviations, such as EE – blooms extra early. HT – height of flower scape in inches. S – semievergreen. Without those info cards, you won’t know their key performance at-
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Business is blooming for the Amador Flower Farm and Nursery.
tributes. Helpful hint: take a snapshot or write down the numbers from the daylily’s sign. The plants are organized numerically, and if you lose your lily, the helpful folks at the counter can point you in the right direction. While selecting varieties from those that were planted, I discovered that some are actually being “proved” and not yet ready for mar-
ket. A nursery person explained they do extended assessments of the bulbs before making them available to the public, seeing how they grow and thrive. When dormant, a portion of the planted bulbs are dug up in early spring and sold as bare root in store or online. Drought tolerant and easy to plant – and deer resistant as well – daylil-
ies can add sprays of color from Spring through Fall, depending on which plants you choose. You can pick up care and feeding instructions on how to keep your daylilies happy from the nursery, and the very friendly staff are happy to answer questions. BEYOND FLOWERS Being all outdoors, the nursery has had the good fortune to be able to re-
main open throughout the year; it is open year ‘round, seven days a week. A pleasantly shaded picnic ground beside a burbling creek welcomes visitors. Check out the massive oak in the center of the flower acres, with nearby seats for quiet contemplation. There are easy walking paths along the stream, as well as SEE GEM, PAGE 5
HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW
DeGraff Construction
Loretelli Farms
GreenWorks Janitorial
Dust Bowl Brewing Co.
Now more than ever, let’s support LOCAL businesses in any way we can.
www.ovcb.com
Brewer Family Dentistry
Pinnacle Health
DA Wood Construction
Davis Guest Home
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
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OCTOBER 2020
IN PROFILE
The tree R’s of health osmosis BY VIRGINA STILL 209 Business Journal
An alternative health and wellness service in Modesto seeks to rehydrate, re-energize and rejuvenate its guests. Partners Terra Goodrich and Alyssa Badiou have combined their medical expertise and their passion for helping people to offer IV hydration and vitamin therapy replacement to everyone in the 209. Osmosis is celebrating its one-year anniversary this November as they opened their doors on Nov. 1, 2019. Some people may be familiar with this alternative method which gained popularity in Las Vegas with the ‘hangover drip’ and made its way to Beverly Hills and now is available in Modesto. The cozy lounge is nestled in a business center at 803 Coffee Road, Suite 10, Modesto, alongside other health and wellness options. Goodrich has been a Registered Nurse for 10 years, spending time in the emergency room and five years as a cardiac trained
nurse specifically. She has always been passionate about working out and doing her best to stay healthy. Badiou is also an RN and both their husbands are in the medical field as well. “I see how people can come in really sick so I wanted to avoid that,” said Goodrich. “On my journey I came across IV hydration and vitamin therapy replacement. I thought ‘wow that is a great way to help people stay healthy’ outside and not just people that are active and working out but people that have chronic diseases, too. It really helps them.” She said some people, such as those who have had a gastric bypass or those with certain chronic diseases, they don’t absorb vitamins so receiving vitamins through the drip is a good option. “We can help with pain and do so many things that are beneficial and keep them out of the hospital. So, I thought I can do that and here I am.” They offer IV hydration and vitamin therapy re-
placement using natural vitamins that the body should absorb at 100 percent. Goodrich explained that when people take a vitamin pill the body only absorbs about 30 percent, but with the IV hydration they get 100 percent. “As we get older, we don’t create or absorb as much of those vitamins that our body needs to thrive and feel healthy and to operate at a top level,” noted Goodrich. “So, we will help replace that.” Some of her clientele are people with chronic pain, inflammation, and stress that take a 30-minute drip in the pink Himalayan salt room. The pink glow in the room that is made up of salt walls and a salt floor along with the crystal in the entrance add to the healing experience. A woman that was losing her hair, for instance, was administered an Inner Beauty drip that replenished her hair and nails and rehydrated her skin. They can customize the drip for each person’s needs specifically like the Immunity infusion
VIRGINIA STILL/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
Osmosis in Modesto, owned by Terra Goodrich and Alyssa Badiou, will celebrate their first anniversary of being in business in November.
that helps people that feel tired, rundown, or feel like they are getting sick. Even those that workout can get a Performance drip to help them with muscle composition and better results. The Weight Loss drip aids those that are getting started with a diet and exercise routine with a natural boost of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. “This is good for anybody
and everybody,” advised Goodrich. “Everybody at some point has something going on. Anybody and everybody are welcome. We have multiple drips that do something different and then we can customize based on what the person is feeling. They will see a benefit.” The suggestion from Goodrich is to receive a drip once a month and that can
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IN PROFILE
Secondhand boutique moving Manteca frozen yogurt shop on the move into downtown Turlock BY VINCE REMBULAT 209 Business Journal
BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal
After just under a year of providing the community with an affordable option when it comes to clothing, consignment boutique Little Red Door is preparing to open its own brick-andmortar location in downtown Turlock. Little Red Door opened last fall as just a small space inside of downtown shop Rustic Roots — a humble beginning that sisters and boutique owners Marissa Miranda and Isabella Cisneros now look back on fondly as they prepare to welcome customers to their new space on the corner of East Main and Thor. The boutique aims to give discarded fashion a second chance through a selection of up-cycled clothing handpicked by the duo. Miranda and Cisneros frequent thrift shops in search of quality fabrics and one-of-a-kind items seldom found in stores today, from vintage Levi’s jeans to handbags from the 60s. The new space will allow them to provide even more options for customers who have supported them from day one, the sisters said. “We always had this idea in the back of our minds that in five years or so it would be so cool to find a great spot in downtown Turlock. Did we ever in a million years think we would get the location we have? Absolutely not,” Miranda said. Little Red Door will open inside of the former Geiger’s Fine Jewelry building sometime next month and will share the space with Reliable Property Management’s second location. “It’s equally surreal as it is terrifying,” Cisneros said with a laugh. “This is a dream come true to be able to work with family in a healthy way and also be successful.” The larger space has also allowed the sisters to add a new section to the shop: “Wear it Again Sports,” which will offer lightly used sports clothing and equipment for children up to 13
DE VEGA
FROM PAGE 2
food or traditional gourmet Italian dishes, De Vega Brothers offers it. Along with the Spaghetti, Ravioli, Tortellini and traditional Italian dishes they have Halibut, Giant Prawns, Chicken Marsala, Veal Picatta, Pasta Del
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Sisters Marissa Miranda and Isabella Cisneros are opening a brick and mortar location for their secondhand boutique, Little Red Door, after operating out of a small space in Rustic Roots for just under a year.
years of age. As a mother herself, Miranda said she saw a need in the community for such a section. “It’s the idea of allowing every child the opportunity to play a sport without it costing so much money for the parents,” she said. “It can get expensive.” While many these days go thrifting in order to resell the clothing for a profit, Little Red Door aims to provide fashion at prices similar to the stores where the items were found. In addition, 10 percent of the shop’s proceeds go toward local nonprofit Prem-maa, which was started by two TC students to help stop human trafficking. The sisters also pointed out that finding some of their items at local thrift stores who also give back helps the community as well. “We’re in this loop of economy where we are helping people and helping other businesses through their organization as well,” Cisneros said. As they excitedly await the new and improved Little Red Door’s opening in a few short weeks, Miranda and Cisneros have been busy on their shop’s Instagram page, hosting live videos and selling inventory online. Customers can also
shop on their website, www. littlereddoor.shop. Even though the space is much larger than their former home, the women believe they can keep up with the demand for thrifting — something that has increased in popularity as the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on the economy. They anticipate the same support which got them this far to continue carrying Little Red Door for years to come. “To be able to open a brick and mortar location in under a year...part of that success has been because of support from the community,” Cisneros said. “Turlock is a pretty small town, so word of mouth goes a long way. We wouldn’t be here without support from other downtown businesses, family and friends.”
Mare, Pasta Salsiccia, Lamb Chops, Prime Rib, Pork Osso Buco, and Eggplant Parmesano. The Angus Rib Eye Steak and Giant Prawns is a current guest favorite. The Halibut and Salmon are fresh from Alaska. For those that want a little something sweet to eat they offer Flan, Tiramisu, Spumoni Ice Cream, sorbet, choco-
late cake and cheesecake. “We both like cooking,” remarked Alberto. “I am so happy and proud that people like my food.” In November they will be open on Thanksgiving Day and will serve up the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry, stuffing and all the fixings.
Little Red Door Location: 340 E. Main St., Turlock Hours: TBD upon opening Contact information: 831-240-7579 Specialty: Affordable, “pre-loved” fashion
FROLO Sweets has been adjusting to the times. Just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the locally-owned full-service frozen yogurt and soft-serve ice cream shop relocated to 1134 N. Main St. in Manteca. “This (space) used to be a yogurt shop years ago,” said Sheena Minjares of FROLO’s home that sits between The LEGO Store and Mountain Mike’s Pizza. She owns the business with her husband Rudy Minjares. “At least one of us will be here at (FROLO) at all times,” he said. They’re following all of the recent safety protocols, from sanitizing to social distancing. Outdoor seating along with online services for curbside pickup and DoorDash deliveries are among the options to satisfy the sweet tooth. FROLO has been in Manteca for a few years, but closed temporarily during the change of address. The original place was about a block away at the old Chubby’s Diner location next to The Waffle Café. Sheena and Rudy Minjares opened FROLO in an effort to bring frozen yogurt to the area.
GEM
FROM PAGE 3 among the flowers. The nursery building also carries an assortment of other plants, as well as unusual and seasonal gifts. Normally AFFN has up to 10 events a year, from Easter Egg hunts to Fall Fun Days, as well as tram tours around the property. I checked and they plan to do their Pumpkin
VINCE REMBULAT/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
From left, Sheena and Rudy Minjares display the new signage and window display at FROLO Sweets at 1134 N. Main St. in Manteca.
They’re originally from San Jose. “When we moved here from the Bay Area, we had to take our (young) family to either Stockton or Modesto for yogurt. There wasn’t anything in Manteca,” Sheena recalled. Through FROLO, she and Rudy developed some loyal customers while getting to know the community. They offered a choice of flavors in frozen yogurt with the array toppings offered at a reasonable flat rate. “We’re affordable,” said Sheena, knowing the rising costs of a simple family outing. For example, a childsized yogurt at FROLO with one topping can be had at $3.75. The move to the current location was necessitated when the former
place experienced maintenance issues, according to Minjares family. FROLO reopened in mid-November, offering a family-fun atmosphere with games and activities. But that changed with the stay-at-home orders earlier this year. “With COVID, our hours were temporarily adjusted, but now we’re back to normal business hours,” said Sheena. That’s minus the indoor activities and seating due to the safety guidelines for businesses and workplaces. FROLO, during these uncertain times, has adjusted. For Sheena and Rudy Minjares, they couldn’t be happier. More information is available online at www. frolosweets.com, Yelp, Instagram or Facebook.
Patch this year, although it will be laid out differently to minimize crowding. The corn maze will be open, the scarecrows and hay bales waiting, and gourds, pumpkins and other fall festive treats will be awaiting their guests. If you want to do a little wine tasting as part of your trip, many of the local wineries are open. Just Google wineries near Plymouth, CA for current information. Most
also carry food items and have outdoor eating areas. A couple more helpful hints: Wear comfortable shoes for walking – the grounds are hilly. And a hat – daylilies like sun, so most of the walks are in full sunlight. Bring a picnic and enjoy just sitting outside, away from it all. You can learn more above events, activities, the flowers, and shop online at www.AmadorFlowerFarm.com.
OSMOSIS
FROM PAGE 4
“The favorite part for me is when someone comes in here and tells me how good they feel and that they haven’t felt like that in a long time,” stated Goodrich. “That makes me happy because then they are functioning better and then life is better. Some people that come in here are like ‘I never knew I could feel this way.’ It is really great to see.” Although COVID-19 shut them down for a while they are glad to be open once again. The clientele that they were
helping could not get what they needed so when they reopened they were extremely busy and ready to get their customers feeling good. “To be able to feel yourself at 100 percent capacity and everything is working the way it should because your body is fueled the way it should be; it doesn’t have a money measure,” remarked Goodrich. “You cannot put a price on that but you can put a feeling and that feeling is something you have never felt before. So really taking your health into your own hands and saying I deserve to feel my best. That is what we want and we want to help people feel their best.”
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
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OCTOBER 2020
IN PROFILE VIRGINIA STILL/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
Dying Breed Brewery offers 14 taps with a beer selection that changes on a regular basis.
Dying Breed Brewing BY VIRGINIA STILL 209 Business Journal
The creative minds of Dying Breed Brewing owners Josh Malcolm, Joe Novotny, and Dan Wood each bring something special to the brewery including a variety of craft beers that will delight even the toughest beer snobs. The tap room opened in mid-May and is rustic and welcoming. There are 14 taps that change on a regular basis but customer faves will always be on tap. Although they have only been open a few months, there are several beers that have become customer favorites like the El Macho, which is a Mexican Lager and a top seller, a double IPA called the Caster 8, Made in the IPA, and Rollin ze Hayz. All the beers have crafty names (pun intended) and some even have a story behind their names. The Hayz is a mild IPA with a hint of pineapple and the Caster 8 is a double IPA that is a bit stronger with 8.1 percent ABV (alcohol by volume). The Kolsch Revolver is a German style beer that is an easy, lighter option that Wood calls “a
lawn mowing beer.” For a real crisp, clean, hoppy taste Made in the IPA may be a preferred choice. Although Willy Tea has only been beertending for a few months he has always been fond of beer and music. He has been a musician for the past 20 years so combining the two at Dying Breed has been exceptional. “I am pouring beer and people are smiling and drinking beer,” said Tea about beertending. “That is my favorite part and I enjoy beer. The brewers and the owners are very kind people and their intentions are beautiful. It just goes to show through the beer and everything. People have a great time here and now with the stage (for outdoor performances) this is going to be a pretty exciting place.” Despite the challenges from the coronavirus, Dying Breed was able to open with a very successful drive-thru concert and beer pick up in March. In less than two hours they were sold out of their growlers on opening day. Since then they have ad-
justed to the rules and regulations with sanitizing, masks, social distancing and tables six feet apart on their outdoor patio. “At first there was a concern for safety,” stated Novotny. “So, we had to be extra vigilant with cleaning and take extra steps and extra precautions to make our customers feel comfortable. One of the things that has been great for us is when folks come out here and see how big our outdoor space is and the space that we have in between tables, they feel comfortable.” The custom stage in the outdoor area gives musicians a platform to showcase their talents and entertain crowds that are ready for live music. When things open up fully, they have plans to have live music on a regular basis along with some other entertaining ideas that they are keeping under wraps at this time. Wood is the brew master and has been working on some special craft beers for the fall with a traditional Oktoberfest brew that will be released in October.
Dying Breed Brewing Location: 963 Shepard Ct Suite B, Oakdale, CA 95361 Phone: (209) 322-3526 www. dyingbreedbrewing. com Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 3–9 PM Friday 3–10 PM Saturday 12–10 PM Sunday 12–8 PM Monday & Tuesday Closed
They will also offer a few different German style beers, stouts, porters, and celebration type beers. “We are staying positive so hopefully things will ease up a little bit,” noted Novotny about the winter. “We will have a plan so that we can continue to serve patrons even if we have to give out panchos or whatever. We didn’t know how important it would be in our plan to have an outdoor patio. This has truly been pretty awesome.”
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OPINION
Vol. 5 No. 10 ■ October 2020 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen
EDITOR
Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.
Sabra Stafford
NEWSROOM Jeff Benziger Dennis D. Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Angelina Martin Vince Rembulat Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Harold L. George
—Julie Andrews
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman
SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Karen Olsen Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber
DIGITAL
Frankie Tovar Rich Matheson
Before you start a nonprofit organization To advertise in 209 Business Journal, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 209 Business Journal is published monthly 122 S. Third Ave • Oakdale, CA 95361 Information: dsavage@209businessjournal.com 209businessjournal.com The Oakdale Leader USPS No 178-680 Is published weekly by Morris Newspaper Corporation, 122 S. Third Ave. Oakdale, Ca 95361 ©Copyright 2020. 209 Business Journal All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Business Journal is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Business Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Business Journal management or owner. 209 Business Journal assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.
209MAG A Z I N E.CO M
“I am looking to set up a nonprofit organization with some friends to help raise funds for an obscure but devastating disease. “I’ve been looking over the IRS forms for getting a tax exemption under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and they look pretty daunting. My friends and I all have full-time jobs and are not sure we will be able to comply with all of the IRS requirements. “Is there any easier way for us to ‘do good’ without having to quit our day jobs?” In my law practice, I receive at least one inquiry a week from people looking to start nonprofit organizations. I wish more of them looked like this email. A lot of people are under the impression that in order to do good, you have to be a nonprofit, as if making a profit were somehow illegal or immoral. I have to remind my nonprofit clients periodically that the first obligation of any newly formed nonprofit organization is ... to make a profit! Being a nonprofit does not mean you don’t make money. It means your profits are not distributed to the owners of the organization (nonprofits have no owners as such) as dividends or a return of capital. Profits earned by a nonprofit must, by law, be used to further
CLIFF ENNICO CREATORS SYNDICATE
the organization’s tax-exempt goals, whatever they may be. Before you set up a nonprofit organization, here are five tough questions you need to ask yourself and your fellow founders: Who Will Run the Organization? Lots of people will tell you they will help you run the nonprofit once it’s set up, but don’t believe them. Many, if not most, will disappear into the woodwork once the organization is up and running and you ask them to devote X hours of their time each week to help out. Most nonprofit organizations are run by one, two or (at the most) three people who do 95% of the work. If you have not identified those people, be assured you will end up doing everything. Will We Have the Time for This? Make no mistake: Nonprofit organizations are time vampires. They will demand every spare waking hour of your life. If you are working full-time jobs, then consider hiring someone to act as the executive director of the organization and devote himself or herself full time to running
the organization. Keep in mind that this person (unless retired and looking for something to do to stave off dementia) will want to be paid; you will have to withhold taxes on his or her paycheck; etc., etc. Are We Good at Fundraising? People who run nonprofits spend at least 80% to 90% of their management time on fundraising activities. Nonprofits by law can generate income in only three ways: charitable donations by people looking for tax deductions, government grants and fundraising events such as bingo games, walking/running/bicycle races, silent auctions and car washes. Finding the donors, writing the grant applications and running the events may well leave you little time left over for anything else. Consider working with a fundraising consultant who can help you write the grant applications, find the donors and select the right fundraising events for the particular mission you are trying to serve. Are We Disciplined Enough to Comply With the Law? As this reader points out, there is a fair amount of paperwork you have to file with the IRS and state regulators to keep a nonprofit on life support. If you are consistently late filing these, sooner or later, you will lose your tax-exempt status. If you do not have the pa-
tience to deal with legal paperwork and the thought of doing yet another tax return each year (called an annual report for nonprofits) makes you gag, you will need to hire — and pay for — a good local accountant who works with nonprofits and will stay on top of you to get the information needed to do his or her job. Are We Committed Enough to Stick Around for the Long Haul? Running a nonprofit is a thankless job: It involves long hours, dealing with difficult people, lots of paperwork and lousy pay. Being passionate about your cause to the point of insanity is the only way to put up with all the nonsense and get you through the tough weeks (or months) when nobody returns your phone calls, the government rejects your grant applications and you can’t get your board members to show up at virtual meetings. If you have any doubts about how passionate or committed you are to the cause you want to serve, you probably aren’t passionate or committed enough to run a nonprofit. Find another organization that’s already been set up for this purpose, and either donate money or volunteer what time you have available to that organization. You will be doing good, feeling good about yourself and staying sane.
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
8
OCTOBER 2020
NEWS
Despite economic hardships, almond industry continues to thrive BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal
A recent report published by the Almond Board of California shows that despite a currently challenging trade environment, global shipments of almonds continue to increase as the industry navigates through tough times. California almond growers are consistently producing crops at record or near-record levels year after year, meaning the industry must constantly work to expand existing export markets and continue to grow demand in those regions — while also keeping an eye on new opportunities at the global level. In the past year, the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with China’s continued tariffs, have continued to pose a problem for growers looking to move their nuts from California ports to export markets. During the 2019-2020 crop year, California produced 2.55 billion pounds of almonds. Nearly 1.6 billion pounds were exported, while domestic shipments accounted for 774 million pounds. This represents nearly parallel growth between the two compared to 2018-2019, when domestic shipments grew 4.5 percent and exports grew five percent. The ABC credits this continued growth to the industry’s investment in nutrition research, as well as development of the global market. The ABC expanded its nutrition research into the area of beauty in the past year, and is also building demand through consumer marketing programs in 11 countries, from India and Japan to the U.S. and Mexico. “One of the things that I first noticed when I joined the Almond Board four years ago was the passion and pride staff have in helping grow this industry,” Vice President of Global Market Development Emily Fleischmann states in the report, “and that fire continues. It’s what has helped our teams launch innovative new campaigns like ‘Do You Almond’ in the UK this past year and what helps almonds remain the number
one nut in new product introductions for 10 years running.” Forthcoming partnerships include a campaign with Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings, a brand-new campaign in France and the ABC’s first digital program in India. India received 256 million pounds of almonds from the U.S. in 20192020, followed by Spain (193 million), Germany (134 million) and China (99 million). Global trade tensions with China have changed the landscape of priority markets, according to the report. “Five years ago, China was our second-largest export destination. It stayed as the third-largest market for several years, surpassed only by the strong growth of the Indian market,” said Julie Adams, vice president of Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs for the ABC. Adams went on to explain that retaliatory tariffs implemented by China two years ago derailed progress that had been made, with the country previously poised to expand amid an increasing middle class and economic growth. “Starting in April 2018, we saw the impact of the trade war, which took almonds from a 10 percent tariff to
the current 55 percent tariff,” Adams said. “Over the last two years, shipments to China/Hong Kong dropped 25percent in crop year 2018-19 and another 23 percent in crop year 201920, with Australia benefiting.” Although China has dropped to fourth in the line of top U.S. export destinations, the country is still key to building demand for expanded crop production. Many trade issues take a long time to resolve, Adams stated, but it is still essential to engage in positive interactions with difficult markets so that a solution can be found quickly The report states that global appeal among customers and consumers worldwide is clearly reflected in the almond industry’s regional shipments, and that being well diversified helps counteract trade disruptions that can unexpectedly come up in one market or another. For example, India and China have historically been the primary destination for inshell markets, but now India has absorbed much of those shipments. In India, almonds are the number one ag import at $732 million, accounting for 40 percent of all U.S. ag exports to India. In the United Arab Emirates, almonds are the number one ag import and account for around 23 percent of total U.S. ag exports. “There are so many growth opportunities around the globe,” Adams said. “For years, the Middle East and Africa were a small share of exports, but now they represent almost 20 percent.” While acknowledging the many challenges facing California almonds, Adams also believes “the opportunities are limitless.” For those looking to learn more about the ABC’s global marketing and trade/regulatory work in other countries, The Almond Conference 2020 will be held virtually for the first time this year Dec. 8 through 10. Visit www.almondconference.com for more information.
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Art being used to mitigate boarded up storefronts BY DENNIS WYATT 209 Business Journal
Boarded up storefronts and vacant buildings go counter to the potential that Nancy Vossos sees downtown Manteca has to become a robust gathering place for the community as happened in other aging Northern California downtowns such as Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Antioch, and Cotati to name a few. It is why she is spearheadeing a drive to beautify downtown as efforts continue toward transforming the central district into an appealing venue with more restaurants, specialty stores, cultural events and such. “Downtown has a lot of potential,” Vossos said. “There are a lot of beautiful old buildings.” And to help people realize that as well as to counter negatives created by vacant storefronts, Vossos and the downtown beautification committee is employing art. To that end a window in the vacant store front at 141 West Yosemite Avenue has had art work on display for more than a year. The committee has stepped up its game. After securing property owner approval they commissioned an artist that goes by “Kat” to paint a mural over the plywood that helps secure the former night club and billiards hall in the 200 block of West Yosemite. The somewhat whimsical mural features windows and doors painted on the plywood. Details such as possibly a cat
peeking out a window will be made as the finishes touches for the mural are completed in the coming weeks. The committee includes merchants as well as downtown advocates such as Councilman Gary Singh. Vossos, whose grandfather moved to Manteca in 1907, remembers fondly how downtown served as the community hub when she was growing up. Her long range goal is to restart downtown concerts using the transit center as a venue or even the old El Rey/Kelley Brothers Brewing Co. that is now being remodeled as an events center. Vossos said a “really nice upscale dinner jazz concert, wine tasting, and art show would be fantastic for a downtown cultural jolt.” Right now she is concentrating on contacting the owners of the 12 vacant properties along Yosemite Avenue between Main Street and the railroad tracks to get permission to display arts or — if windows are boarded over — to brighten them up with mural art. “It’s been difficult to try and get a hold of some of the owners,” Vossos said, adding any information people are able to pass on would be appreciated. She also wants to line up more art such as handmade quilts to display in storefront windows that are currently vacant. Vossos can be reached at creeksidecottage@live. com or by calling 1-707695-2287.
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An artist that goes by the name “Kat” works on a mural to cover up plywood placed over windows and doors of the former billiards hall and night club in the 200 block of West Yosemite.
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
9
BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS
HOW TO BUILD AN EFFECTIVE BACKLINK STRATEGY IN 2020 BY ELIZABETH DEVINE
S
209 Business Journal
ome know it as link building for SEO; others refer to it as authoritative linking… The meaning of a backlink is a link that comes from another website to yours. Hence, the practice of getting such authoritative links is called link building. A backlink strategy should be part of your SEO roadmap in 2020 – and here is why. First of all, you should understand what a backlink is. As defined on many websites, it is a link that points to your website – which can be placed in the text, image, or even be designed as a button. As long as the source is a dif-
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ferent website, all of these connections will count as backlinks. In search engine optimization (SEO), the value of backlinks is significant – they are among the most important ranking factors for every major search engine. So, building an effective backlink strategy is more than just getting a link to your website. Essentially, it is all about getting more authoritative links related to your industry, and diverse in the way they link to you (one could connect to you with a keyword you are optimizing for, and another could link to you via an image). Below, we are listing the best ways to build an effective backlink strategy this year.
REACH OUT TO JOURNALISTS AND INDUSTRY BLOGS WITH A GUEST POST One of the best ways to know that you will be featured in a third-party blog and get their backlink is by offering some value to them. Typically,
content marketers write their pieces covering an event, trend, or any topic within the industry from a different angle – and then approach the editors of those blogs for a chance to get featured and get a link to their website. You can do the same. Doing
BUILD FREE TOOLS, GENERATORS, QUIZZES, ETC. Another great way to spruce up your backlink strategy and get more authoritative links is to build a page that will have something of value for each customer. For instance, if you are a realtor in Tracy, CA, why not build a page with a Mortgage Calculator to help users get projected rates for their monthly payments?
LEGITIMATE BACKLINKS COME AT A COST Legitimate backlinks are not that easy to find. The truth is, no one with an authoritative website would like to link to a new or low ranking website just like that. Because of that, people started charging for backlinks. So, people nowadays either pay for top quality backlinks to their website or use their connections to get ones for free.
If you are still finding it hard to figure out the entire backlink strategy thing, we know that it may be a hard pill to swallow. However, backlinks are a vital part of SEO nowadays and something you should
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UNDERSTAND WHAT A GOOD BACKLINK IS (and how to check it) First is the step where you discover what defines a good backlink. Here, you should look for solid Domain Authority (DA) scores (over 20+), which indicate that the website is relevant and visited by many people. Below is a screenshot from SEMRush (a great tool) that shows the Domain Authority (DA) score. An example of Domain Authority (DA) scores on SEMRush. Typically, you can reach out to the industry blogs you are following, influencers with popular websites, or any place you know is visited by potential customers.
this will drastically increase your chances of being featured on a website and earn highquality backlinks. Tip: Here is an excellent collection of sites that accept guest posts!
In other industries, quizzes or different types of easy generators could work. Authoritative blogs and sites will find it easier to link to this type of quiz, calculator, or generator rather than a simple page. Our Brand Archetypes quiz is very popular – and featured on many websites.
Getting started with a backlink strategy can be difficult only because of this. Besides the fact that authoritative links cost money, there is also the risk of getting “sandboxed.” This is a rule that Google developed to prevent new sites from (quickly) ranking high. “The Google Sandbox refers to an alleged filter that prevents new websites from ranking in Google’s top results. Think of it
never overlook. With Devine Solutions Group, you can put your backlink strategy on autopilot. With our team’s help, you can get authoritative backlinks from leading blogs, Press Release di-
like a probation period – even if you do everything right, your site won’t get decent rankings until it comes to an end.” Ahrefs In that scenario of getting “sandboxed,” businesses typically decide to start from scratch or rebrand themselves. If you want to prevent this scenario, now is the best time to look for help by contacting an expert. Get More Backlinks By Contacting Us Today!
rectories, and many other websites both organically and with paid options. Contact us today at 833-933-8463 or send us an email at info@devinesolutionsgroup.com to get started!
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GET IN “BEST X” LIST MENTIONS “Best X” lists are a great place to position your business. For instance, if you have a coffee shop in Tracy, CA, a blog post that is named “The 10 Best Tracy
Coffee Shops” is a place where you want to be featured. To get a sense of how popular these lists are, Google “best [your location] + [your business type]” and see if there are any articles you can get in. If there
aren’t, pick a broader location and continue your search. An example of our profile (and a backlink) on Alignable.com
209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
10
OCTOBER 2020
TECH
$100M floating data center to supercharge Central Valley’s growth as newest tech hub CONTRIBUTED BY BAY VALLEY TECH
digital assets and are a key component of every modern company’s mission-critical information technology and cybersecurity infrastructure. These fault-proof facilities house thousands of very powerful computer servers running 24/7, which are utilized by leading companies in banking, healthcare, media, food processing and agriculture. Traditional landlocked data centers consume vast amounts of energy in an effort to cool their powerful computer servers, which run extremely hot, often degrading performance. Pleasanton-based Nautilus’ floating data center uses patented TRUE™ (Total Resource Usage
Venture-funded Nautilus Data Technologies is scheduled to begin operations of its state-of-the-art floating data center this November, significantly expanding the Stockton-Modesto area’s tech ecosystem. In addition to Huddle-LaunchPad, ValleyWorx tech co-working space and Bay Valley Tech a low-barrier code academy aiming to transition thousands of workers from underrepresented groups into tech careers - Nautilus will provide another good reason for Silicon Valley companies to expand operations into the Central Valley. Data centers house an organization’s proprietary
Effectiveness) technology, leveraging innovative water-cooled technology to set a new standard for energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and competitive pricing in the industry. Nautilus has spent the past five years working with Vallejo-based Lind Marine to convert a 1969 sea-worthy barge into a floating data center, the “Eli M.” The key benefit of this floating data center is its ability to significantly cut costs by using water from ports, lakes, rivers, canals, harbors or protected ocean bays to help cool IT equipment. The converted barge is 235-foot long, 55foot wide, weighs 700 tons and has the capacity to car-
ry up to 540 racks of computer servers. The Eli M is on track for commission in Stockton’s Deep Water Channel in Q4 this year. “Nautilus is excited to bring this unique solution to the marketplace and our team is committed to improving economic opportunities for residents in Stockton and the Central Valley,” said Nautilus CEO James L. Connaughton. “We are optimistic that bolstering the Valley’s growing tech hub with Nautilus’ best-in-class infrastructure will attract more leading companies to the region.” Nautilus’ proprietary TRUE design integrates, for the first time, maritime and industrial cooling technologies to reduce comput-
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land-based facilities. With Nautilus’ multi-tenant design, modular data halls on the barge’s deck will house cabinets of servers. Mechanical and electrical equipment, including cooling distribution units, are located below deck in a water-tight hold. Nautilus claims the Eli M will provide customers a 30 percent savings over conventional data farms by reducing energy consumption by 80 percent and carbon emissions by 30 percent. In addition to the first floating data center in Stockton, Nautilus also has a $35 million data center project in development in Ireland, which received local approvals last year.
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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
11
ACCOLADES
PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc. welcomes Annette Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer
Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer. In her new role, Sanchez will lead top management to ensure a high level of organizational management, staffing, infrastructure and governance. She will work closely with VHB CEO, Carol Ornelas, to lead and develop strategy as VHB continues to build Annette Sanchez new, affordable housing throughout Central California. In her new role, Sanchez will manage daily internal functions, represent the organization on housing and community development issues, and develop effective policies, procedures, and systems. In addition, she will provide long-term planning to manage the organization’s current activities and future growth and expansion to ensure visibility of the organization, as well as the success of its mission and strategic plan. “We are pleased to welcome Annette Sanchez to the VHB team as Chief Operating Officer,” states Carol Ornelas, CEO of VHB. “Annette is a seasoned community leader and is a strong addition to our team. Her expertise in strategic development and project implementation are valuable tools that will help us continue to meet the affordable housing needs of our community.” Previously with El Concilio, Sanchez has more than twenty years of operational and leadership experience in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties, including expertise in fundraising, community relationships, and team management. She has been an advocate for low-income and Spanish speaking families throughout her career. Sanchez resides in Stockton.
Yogurt Mill raises more than $4,000 for Love Modesto
On Aug. 12, Yogurt Mill raised more than $4,000 for Love Modestoby having the four locations donate 20% of proceeds on an entire day to Love Modesto and Love Our Neighbors, a community-wide volunteer program that aids local neighborhoods, schools and underserved families in Modesto.
“We are thrilled to have doubled the donation to Love Modesto this year over last year! Our Yogurt Mill family is part of this wonderful community and we are all so proud to support Love Modesto and to give back to whenever we can,” said Yogurt Mill Founder and CEO, Larry Young. “We know this has been a tough year for many folks and hope this contribution can make a difference for those in need.” Love Modesto is an annual event that
draws over 7,000 volunteers across a wide range of community projects such as neighborhood cleanups, restoration, meal deliveries and animal shelter assistance. Swirling since 1984, Yogurt Mill offers soft-serve indulgences, including vegan, dairy-free and low-fat options. From classic probiotic-rich Heavenly Vanilla froyo to specially sourced acai bowls and Instagram-ready Outrageous Cones, Yogurt Mill’s delectable soft serve caters to everyone in the community. A new Yogurt Mill concoction is the Bang Energy Shake, a mixture of premium sorbet and Bang energy drinks available in a variety of flavors. Yogurt Mill has three locations in Modesto, and one location in Turlock. Two of the Modesto locations and the Turlock location have drive-thrus in addition to one self-serve in Modesto. Yogurt Mill was recognized as 2020’s “Best Yogurt in 209” by 209 Magazine. Readers vote for their favorite local businesses across 80 categories in the Best of 209 awards.
Community Hospice receives partner level four from We Honor Veterans
Community Hospice is proud to announce they have been named a We Honor Veterans Level Four Program Provider. This distinguished honor certifies Community Hospice recognizes the unique needs of America’s Veterans, their families and community providers. As veterans often carry traumatic experiences from their time in service, many present an array of challenges as they face their end-of-life journey. Community Hospice is dedicated to providing resources and guiding Veterans through their life stories, providing individualized care to ensure a more peaceful ending. They also work to recruit veteran volunteers to come alongside their veteran patients as these volunteers have the unique ability to relate more closely with their shared experiences in the military. “Community Hospice is committed to improving quality of life and end-of-life care for our local Veterans,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/CEO. “Our team of experienced professionals have been specially educated and trained to assist Veterans and their families. It is an honor to walk alongside our brave heroes providing support and resources. We feel privileged to partner with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Veterans Administration.”
Aaron Judge All Rise Foundation awards minigrant
For over 22 years First Tee of San Joaquin has been using the platform of golf to provide innovative and experiential learning opportunities for young people. Character education and long-term life skills are at the heart of the programs, which are delivered by coaches who have been trained in positive youth development. The mission of First Tee of San Joaquinis to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. This mini-grant will be used to provide “Golferships” to underserved youth to participate in First Tee programs. Participants are taught golf basics related to grip, stance, and swing. Volunteer coaches
work in small groups to develop chipping, putting, and full swings. “Any time character education is built into activities for our youth, it makes a huge impact on our communities”, said Aaron Judge, Founder of Aaron Judge All Rise Foundation. “First Tee Golferships will enable kids to participate that may have never had the chance.”
Merced County Rescue Mission named charity of the year
When the Merced County Rescue Mission was formed in 1991, the needs of the homeless and those battling addiction were enormous. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, those needs are even greater, so the Recuse Mission is doing even more to address them. Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) is proud to honor The Merced County Rescue Mission as the 2020 California NonProfit of the Year for the 21st Assembly District. Under the direction of Dr. Bruce Metcalf, and with the help of roughly 30 staff members and dozens of volunteers, the Rescue Mission has found food for the hungry, beds for the homeless and created hope for those who have been caught up in addiction. The urgency of this work has intensified
this year. Working with Merced County and other non-profits, the Rescue Mission delivers food to those in need, such as senior citizens. It also oversees Project Roomkey in Merced County, part of a statewide effort to find safe emergency housing for the homeless. In August, the community celebrated a virtual groundbreaking for the Rescue Mission’s new Merced campus. Using modified cargo containers, it will offer 32 Medical Respite beds for those recovering from medical procedures; 12 additional beds for men, 10 more for women and 13 new family units for women with children. Teachers will be invited to instruct clients on using computer programs to track their finances and prepare resumes. In the center’s kitchen, residents can learn commercial culinary skills. The Rescue Mission also began working with Merced County to develop a navigation center where clients can find temporary housing, job counseling and three meals each day. Assemblyman Gray helped secure roughly $7.5 million in state funding for the center, which is expected to open by the end of 2020. “This has been an incredible project,” said Assemblymember Gray during the center’s groundbreaking ceremony. “Homelessness is a moral issue that affects our public safety and our quality of life. The Rescue Mission is at the forefront of doing all we can to alleviate this crisis
within our community.”
Sierra Vista Child & Family Services hires Andrew Timbie to replace retiring CEO, Judy Kindle
The Sierra Vista Child & Family Services Board of Directors announced it has hired Andrew Timbie as SVCFS’s CEO to succeed Judy Kindle, who is retiring after 36 years with SVCFS - 33 of which were as CEO. Though she is retiring, Kindle has graciously agreed to assist Timbie during this transition, consistent with her spirit and her commitment to caring. Specifically, Kindle will facilitate introductions for Timbie to all who assist SVCFS and its provision of the full continuum of care services in the community. Board Chair, Michael Donohoe, said, “Judy can never truly be replaced. Her retirement, though well-deserved, will leave a gaping hole in Sierra Vista. She has made Andrew Timbie the agency what it is today, and her legacy will be longlasting. That being said, the Board is very excited about bringing Andrew in as Judy’s successor. I am anxious to see the great impact he will have Judy Kindle on Sierra Vista and our community.” Timbie joins SVCFS after leading a national network of offices for World Relief as their Sr. Director for US Field Operations. Under his leadership, significant transformations were achieved in the operational turnaround of local offices, leadership development and promotion of staff to national levels, and expansion of the organization’s political and community influence. His background includes business and marketing, leading international teams in establishing a new radio station in Africa, and serving as a Rotarian board member. Timbie holds an MS of Nonprofit Management from Regis University and a BA in Mass Communications from Taylor University.
New Bridge Property President/CEO joins national property managers board
Adrian Harrell, the President, CEO and Principal Property Manager at New Bridge Management, which manages the real estate portfolios of investors, has joined the National Association of Residential Property ManagAdrian Harrell ers - California state chapter as the President Elect and the speaker/education committee chair. Harrell has held leadership roles at numerous local community and national organizations such as the Modesto Sister Cities International organization, Central Valley Professional Exchange, Central Valley Association of Realtors and National Association of Residential Property Managers.
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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL
OCTOBER 2020