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FEATURES As the trees start greening and the flowers bloom, that means it’s time for tea — or is it tee time? At 209 Magazine, we’ve decided not to choose and instead embrace both popular spring time endeavors of hitting the golf course and enjoying a nice cup of hot or chilled tea. We traveled the 209 and found a sampling of the best places to tee up or relax with a nice cup of tea.

TEE TIME

44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Del Rio Country Club, Modesto

River Oaks Golf Course, Ceres The Golf Club at Copper Valley, Copperopolis

Spring Creek Golf & Country Club, Ripon Turlock Golf & Country Club, Turlock

The Reserve at Spanos Park, Stockton Greenhorn Creek Resort, Angels Camp

TEA TIME

54 55 56 57

Mango Tango, Merced

Detox Tea Lounge, Tracy

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On the cover

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Columbia Kate’s, Columbia

The Hidden Tea Room, Lodi

PHOTO BY KRISTYN AREDAS PHOTOGRAPHY Angelina Martin and Seth Clark enjoy a cup of tea on the greens at The Golf Club at Copper Valley.

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APRIL/MAY 2020 – ISSUE 38

DEPARTMENTS IN THE KNOW 14 18 22 25

Don’t buy into fear Scene in the 209 Arbor sculptor’s legacy Love Our Neighbors

14

22

ARTS & CULTURE 27

Mother-daughter spring fashion

40

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 36 40

Hook, Line & Sinker Sierra Splendor

FLAVORS 60 62 64

62

Hey Bartender Wildfire Public House Straight Off the Vine

NAVIGATOR 68

La Jolla Cove

FULL OF LIFE 70 72

Fitness and Beyond California Triathlon

A PLACE CALLED HOME 74 78

Sister flippers Dream Home

MARKETPLACE 80

Asip Coffee Roasters Co.

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8PUB LETTER

Vol. 7 No. 38 ■ April/ May 2020 ■ $4.95

PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

EDITOR Kristina Hacker

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAHERS Elizabeth Arakelian Kristyn Aredas Jarod Ballardo Jeff Benziger Dale Butler Elizabeth Devine Teresa Hammond Marg Jackson Matt Johanson Angelina Martin Sabra Stafford Virginia Still Frankie Tovar

ART DIRECTOR Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Lorraine Bernaldes Beth Flanagan Dawn Hamilton Rich Matheson Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber Jennifer Webber

This issue marks the sixth anniversary for 209 Magazine. We continue to be grateful for the opportunity to partner with local businesses and organizations to provide this publication that highlights what makes the 209 region such a special place to live, work in and visit.

As our region, just like the rest of the country and the world, deals with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, we aim to continue to be a source of information and entertainment. We will strive to be a beacon of hope for those readers seeking a connection with their greater community, while at the same time lifting up local businesses as they struggle through these tough economic times.

I encourage local business owners and entrepreneurs to read the column “Don’t buy into fear — get strategic” on page 14 to find inspiration on how best to use this down time.

Due to the changing status of isolation orders, be sure to check with the individual restaurant, bar, golf course and other businesses featured in this issue to find out if they are currently open or offering reduced services.

Once isolation orders are lifted, we encourage you to support the businesses featured in this issue — and all your local establishments that will be the hardest hit from the recent shutdowns.

We wish you a safe, sane and hopeful spring and look forward to the time when we can gather together again in a place called 209.

SPECIAL CONSULTANT Larry Dovichi

Hank Vander Veen Publisher hvanderveen@209magazine.com

To advertise in 209 Magazine, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 • Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 209 Magazine is published 6 times a year 121 S. Center St., 2nd Floor • Turlock, CA 95380 Comments: khacker@209magazine.com www.209magazine.com ©Copyright 2018. 209 Magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Magazine is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Magazine management or owner. 209 Magazine assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

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10STUDIO 209

Notes

with FRANKIE TOVAR

Rocky the Therapy Dog Press play on this episode and meet Rocky, a two-yearold white Labrador from Turlock who has the important job of bringing joy to those he visits. To celebrate National Love Your Pet Day we decided to follow Rocky during one of his shifts at Paramount Court Senior Living to see canine therapy in action.

STUDIO209 is a weekly magazine-style video series filmed in the heart of the Central Valley. Join us every Thursday and enjoy a wide range of coverage from community events to personal profiles and more. ftovar@morrismultimedia.com

Pinewood Derby Race

STUDIO209.T V

WE’VE GOT THE 209 COVERED

Watch a raucous group of Boy Scouts go head-to-head on the track in a high-speed competition decided by milliseconds. While the stakes might not seem as high as a street race, the members of Pack 451 proved that a Pinewood Derby can be just as exciting.

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Bob McMillen Memorial Fishing Tournament Rain couldn’t keep hundreds of fishermen, women and children from casting their lines at the Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton to take part in this long-standing trout bout. Eager to speak with a winner, Angelina baited every angler she came across with questions and you won’t believe who reeled in the top honor.

Covid-19 Discussion: Dr. Juris Grasis & Dr. Jenny Howell The 209 Podcast returns with an in-depth discussion about Covid-19 and its immediate and potential impact on the Valley. Recorded remotely from the campus of UC Merced, Dr. Grasis and Dr. Howell share their respective expertise of virology and psychology to shed light on the pandemic and provide listeners with information about what to expect moving forward.

Covid-19 Economic Impact: Dr. Gokce Soydemir Following up on her initial Covid-19 discussion, Angelina speaks with Dr. Soydemir, Foster Farms Endowed Chair of Business Economics and professor at Stanislaus State, about the economic impact the disease could have on the Valley and how residents can make the most of the federal stimulus package.

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April 1

April 2

May 6

May 7

TURLOCK

STOCKTON

TRACY

MODESTO

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intheknow

DON’T BUY

INTO FEAR

—GET STRATEGIC

By ELIZABETH DEVINE

IMAGES BY FREEPIK.COM

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he COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak is taking a toll on all of us, especially local business owners. This is the type of crisis that can literally bring devastation on so many levels and quite frankly it already has.

Schools and businesses are closed. Conferences and networking events postponed. Travel has been restricted and so on. However, if you think about it, this could very well be the opportunity you need to fall back and regroup with your own business development plans.

As business owners and entrepreneurs, we’re constantly in a state of flux. But now, we have an opportunity; an opportunity to leverage time. With closures abound and fear in the air, don’t buy in to panic and give it more power — get strategic. You might be thinking “Yeah, I got this!” but on the other hand, you might be thinking, “yeah but, how do I do that and where do I start”?

Here’s where you’re going to start. You’re going to change your mindset to think global and act local.

You’re going to create a new marketing strategy and you’re going to find a faster path to revenue when all this is said and done.

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INCREASE YOUR ONLINE REVIEWS The fastest way to gain traction and dominate your local market, is to increase the number of your four and fivestar business reviews. Online reviews are a third-party validation that influences how consumers purchase.

Consumers will check out your reviews first before they’ll go

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to your website.

Current statistics indicate that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation and 73% of consumers view reviews two months or older as irrelevant.

Companies that have positive reviews get more business, in fact, 95% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase and 73%

of consumers trust a local business more after reading their positive reviews.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon says, “If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they are most likely to tell 10 friends. If you make customers unhappy in the digital world, they can influence 5,000 plus friends and connections.”

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HIGHLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS IN OTHER ONLINE PLACES WITH BACKLINKS Connect with other online places such as directories and authoritative websites. This will assist you by strengthening your local marketing strategy. These “connections” are called backlinks and they’re a critical component of a successful SEO plan. Qualified backlinks enable a website to leverage the domain authority and trust of another site, which

will have a positive impact on your search rankings. You’ll definitely want to enlist the support of an experienced SEO professional to set these up though. Don’t just start adding backlinks on your own. It takes a high degree of technical savvy and long-term relationships to implement successfully. Don’t risk having your website relegated to the dreaded Google sandbox.

This could devastate and erase your business online. Hire a professional!

4 Your Campaign has been Sent!

YAY

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SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO) Think of your website as a rocket and Search Engine Optimization is the fuel. Without it, you won’t have lift off. You have to in place an effective SEO strategy in order to be seen online. This is important for local businesses that want to appear on the first page of search engines, such as Google.

You’ll definitely want to add a little more gas to your SEO fire and in order to do so, we recommend setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile. It’s free and will definitely support your SEO strategy, especially when you publish keyword rich content in your business description, products, services and other offers.

Note to file: It doesn’t matter how pretty or functional your website is, if no one can find it, it doesn’t exist.

Backlinks

LEVEL UP YOUR EMAIL MARKETING Many people think that email marketing is dead — we know otherwise. Without a doubt, the most efficient and cost-effective way to maximize your marketing dollars, is the use of email marketing.

You’d think with the influence and reach of social media; the effectiveness of email marketing would be minimized — it’s not. The fact is, email is the most widely used form of communication today.

A solid email marketing strategy for your local audience would involve the following:

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• Know your audience • Build a targeted email list • Use technology intelligently • Create great opt-ins • Create compelling subject lines • Focus on design because it does matter Each of these features can help you reach more potential customers, provide excellent service and build trust within your local community.

Make sure you are educated on the difference between explicit and implied opt-ins. You can’t just add people to your email list without their consent.

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START BLOGGING In real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. When it comes to marketing and especially content writing such as blogging, it’s all about consistency, consistency, consistency.

A great way to increase engagement and move your search rankings up, is through consistent blogging. Creating fresh content will tremendously support your SEO strategy. Publishing new blog posts consistently means that your website will be updated more frequently — which increases your chances of getting better rankings, more views, more website visitors, and increased lead conversions that ultimately deliver more business for you.

As a best practice, we recommend creating at least one blog per month and ideally two. Study your SEO ranking reports to identify which keywords need to improve then create a compelling story around them. You’ll want to have no less than 500 words in your blog and ideally, you’ll want to land closer to the 1000-word mark.

Google likes this and will reward you with higher rankings.

INCREASE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE Last but not the least are social media channels. Establish an active presence on as many platforms as it makes sense for your business. This is one of the most important things you can do to increase your local presence.

Sure, you might be on Facebook — but are you doing all it takes for your business to expand its local reach on this platform? Also, are you increasing the reach through other platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and YouTube?

Tip: increase your social presence wherever your ideal client hangs out. If you have B2B business model, LinkedIn is a solid option for you to consider.

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Create a new marketing infrastructure plan now, so you can reset your business growth curve to gain momentum.

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Final Words We said it earlier — don’t buy in to fear, get strategic and leverage this opportunity of time. Create a new marketing infrastructure plan now, so you can reset your business growth curve to gain momentum.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recommends spending 7 to 8 percent of your gross revenue for marketing and advertising if you’re doing less than $5 million a year in sales and your net profit margin – after all expenses – is in the 10 percent to 12 percent range.

— Beth Devine is the founder and principal of Devine Solutions Group, an award-winning digital marketing and business agency headquartered in Tracy, CA. You can connect with Beth by either calling 833-933-8463 or email beth@devinesolutionsgroup.com. ■

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Lakewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home were built on a basic belief in community responsibility and service. In 1982, a funeral home was added to the cemetery, now called Lakewood Funeral Home.

We are proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of more than 1,800 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers.

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We’re here for you.

Thanks for being there for us now.

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bethanyripon.org • 930 W. Main Street, Ripon 17

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intheknow

Scene

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he waning weeks of winter before the first blooms of spring arrived brought 209 residents a few chances to get together to eat, drink, and be merry.

Want to have your organization’s event featured in 209 Magazine? Email sstafford@209magazine.com.

The TURLOCK PENTECOST ASSOCIATION held their annual Crab Cioppino Feed in early February and drew in a crowd of hungry diners ready to feast on the delicious crab, cioppino, and garlic bread. For more information about the organization, visit their Facebook page.

Fatima Areias and Eva Guerra came from Modesto to support the Turlock Pentecost Association’s annual event.

February is heart health month and 209 Magazine was helping spread the news about good heart health practices with the American Heart Association. For more information about heart health, visit www.heart.org.

The event at Vintage Faire Mall included a fashion show with heart attack and stroke survivors serving as models. Teresa Hansen of Atwater walked the runway with her granddaughter.

The team from Ride 209 - Jaclyn Gigli, Michele Petlansky, and Courtney Bulen, all of Manteca - was at the event for demonstrations on the benefits of cycling for the heart.

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Avery Oliveira of Stevenson and Maria Estacio Lopez of Turlock were on hand to help with the dinner and to enjoy it too.

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THE TURLOCK COMMUNITY THEATRE revamped its annual fundraising dinner and auction in February with an All the World’s a Stage theme and invited local artists to perform. For more information about the nonprofit theatre and its upcoming shows, visit www. turlocktheatre.org.

Olde Tyme Pastries created this show piece cake for the Turlock Community Theatre.

Alyx Steensma of Modesto, along with Lorie and Sean Wilson of Turlock support the Turlock Community Theatre.

Clarissa Lonn-Nichols, Chaplain Robert Johnson and Eunice Johnson, all of Turlock, enjoy the entertaining atmosphere at the TCT dinner and auction event.

The Center for Urban Performance’s advanced hip hop dancers perform at the Turlock Community Theatre’s fundraiser event on Feb. 22.

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The AMADOR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE hosted a mixer in February to bring together the different business leaders from the region for a night of fun and networking at Harrah’s Northern California Casino in Ione.

Dana Calhoun of Ione and Arlene Smith of Wallace, were on hand to support the Amador County Chamber members and businesses.

David Flores of Wilton, Harrah’s Northern California Casino General Manager JC Rieger of Ione, and Rhonda Pope-Flores of the Buena Vista tribe welcomed the community to the Chamber’s mixer.

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intheknow

By JEFF BENZIGER

S

wedish born Axel Erlandson (1884-1964) was never one to just let a tree grow naturally on its own. Combined with his fanciful imagination and pruning shears, he enjoyed contorting them into the shape of spiral staircases, ladders, hearts, chairs and other fanciful shapes – something they would never do without his help.

For over 40 years Erlandson felt divinely inspired to shape and graft the bodies and arms of trees. He passed away in 1964 but some of his arbor creations – dubbed Circus Trees – are still thriving and giving joy to visitors at Gilroy Gardens.

About 25 of his creations – because of him the term “arbor sculptor” was coined – are in the park near Watsonville, with a concentration located in the Dixie Cup Plaza near the turnstile area at the front entrance of the park as well as a scattering throughout.

Axel’s love of shaping trees occurred as a teenager when his family moved from Minnesota to Hilmar in Merced County. For a time he wanted to be a land surveyor but in 1928, after seeing a natural graft between two trees, he decided to merge four sycamore saplings into what he called the “Four-Legged Giant” spreading into a six-foot-around square cupola.

To create his unique trees Erlandson used intricate grafting and bending techniques. He was challenged to use more complex and compound designs in shapes like hearts, lightning bolts, basket weaves and

Axel’s love of shaping trees occurred as a teenager when his family moved from Minnesota to Hilmar in Merced County.

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rings. An ash tree was turned into the Needle and Thread Tree after he interwove the branches. Other trees were the Tepee Tree, the Revolving Door Tree, the Double Spectacle Tree, the Archway Tree and the NineToed Giant Tree.

Inspired by a 1945 trip to Santa Cruz, Axel’s wife Leona suggested that he transplant his creations in Scotts Valley as a tourist spot. The Erlandsons invested $1,050 for three quarters of an acre along Highway 17 and as the 12 trees went dormant that winter, he dug them up to transplant them over 100 miles away. The effort took over three months and four loads of trees. He named his roadside attraction “Tree Circus” which billed the “World’s Strangest Trees.” Axel added a castle-like building for a souvenir shop and ticket office at the entrance. The attraction drew the attention of newspapers and Life magazine. Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” also took notice, featuring his trees in periodicals during the 1940s and 1950s. By 1957 Erlandson’s obsession resulted in 75 unique trees.

Between 1947 and 1963 about 20,000 people came to visit but charging 25 cents per head didn’t pay the bills. The death knell for the attraction was when Highway 17 shifted behind the center to its current route, cutting off the park from the motoring public. Poor health caused him to sell his enterprise in 1963 to Larry and Margaret Thompson for $12,000. After Axel’s passing in 1964 the Thompsons repurposed the tree park into a dinosaur themed “Lost World” attraction. At one time Disney was interested in the trees but lost interest because the asking price was too steep.

By the mid-1970s the collection of 40 remaining trees fell into a state of neglect until Santa Cruz architect Mark Primack led a group nicknamed the Commando Gardeners to trespass on the site to water and care for the trees. When word came that the owner wanted to bulldoze the trees, Primack recoiled and led a

He named his roadside attraction “Tree Circus” which billed the “World’s Strangest Trees.”

hotly-contested community battle to save them. The Scotts Valley Planning Commission rejected his bid to have them preserved as “heritage” trees and thus a relocation effort commenced. Nob Hill grocery store chain owner Michael Bonfante arranged to transplant 29 of the remaining coiled, scalloped and spiral-shaped sycamores, Box Elders, ash and Spanish cork trees in his Gilroy Gardens park in 1985.

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original site which is now the Tree Circus Center commercial retail center located at 4652 Scotts Valley Drive in Scotts Valley.

The Telephone Booth Tree died years ago but remains permanently on display at the American Visionary Museum in Baltimore, Md. If you’re heading to Gilroy Gardens and want to check out Erlandson’s work, be sure to pick up a Guide to the Circus Trees brochure from the Welcome Center, located in Sugar Plum Plaza. ■

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since June 2019, the s trying cause has seen a times hit, significant boost in one local volunteerism since organization is the coronavirus helping us to love our pandemic hit home neighbors. in early March. Love A little less than a Our Neighbors launched year ago, the Love Our a special COVID-19 Cities movement of Modesto response page on its website, recognized a need in the Valley where 260 volunteers have since that extended far beyond the reach signed up to work in local food banks of the city-wide community service days

By ANGELINA MARTIN and to go shopping for the elderly and it helped organize each year. In collaboother at-risk community members who may not be ration with the City Ministry Network, comprised able to go to the grocery store. of local faith leaders, Love Our Neighbors was born, Those in need of assistance due to the pandemic, giving those looking to give back the chance to do whether it be with shopping or the inability to pay for so by connecting them to volunteer resources. The food, can also sign up for help on the website. As of site (www.loveourneighbors.org) also serves as a the end of March, 230 people have used the website to place where community members in need can come request help. for help, and is funded by United Way of Stanislaus “When stuff started happening, we thought, ‘How County in alignment with the county’s Focus on do we as a community respond to this?’ We landed Prevention initiative. on homebound seniors and people who are most “We realized especially here at home and in our vulnerable to the virus, or people who may not have own county, there were some things that we really transportation and can’t get to the grocery store arwanted to focus on,” Love Our Neighbors program eas,” Jung said. “Those are the most affected people we director Eric Jung said. “This was a response to not wanted to make sure only engage the faith are being taken care sector, but to have a of, even from a food place that can push scarcity standpoint.” people towards great Many volunteervolunteer organizabased nonprofits tions that we as a have been hit the community can get hardest by the behind.” pandemic and are The website is in desperate need simple: there are of volunteers, Jung options for those explained, as those who want to donate who typically donate monetarily, and even their time are retired different choices Love Our Neighbors, a nonprofit that connects the community seniors looking to for community to volunteer resources, has ramped up its efforts in the midst give back. With the members who want of the coronavirus pandemic, helping organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank (pictured) find people to help 65-and-up crowd ongoing volunteer distribute food. self-isolating, volunopportunities or teers are dwindling would like to help at nonprofits vital during these times, like food banks. just once. Volunteers can choose from a multitude of If you are looking to volunteer or are in need of sectors where help is needed, including administrahelp, visit www.loveourneighbors.org for a list of retive, education, encouragement, manual labor and sources that can be utilized both during the coronavipeople in need. rus pandemic and after. ■ Although Love Our Neighbors has been around 209MAGAZINE.COM

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LOCAL NEWSPAPERS KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES INFORMED IN CHALLENGING TIMES.

Visit www.cnpa.com/AB5/ to learn more about how the future of your local newspaper is being threatened.

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arts&culture Liliana Sousa-Downs is wearing Halston pleated ruffled dress in lavender and accessories by David Galan.

Sebastiani Kim is wearing Ali and Jay Agua Caliente dress in sunshine and accessories by SOKO.

COLORS OF

By SABRA STAFFORD

PHOTOS BY VIRGINIA STILL/ 209 Magazine

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ne of the best pleasures of spring is taking a stroll through a well-tended garden and marveling at all the beautiful greenery and the flowers in their menagerie of colors. From soft white tulips to the eye-catching orange poppies, the colors of spring demand to be admired.

The same could be said for the clothing at Liliana Downtown in Modesto. Opened late last year by Liliana Sousa-Downs, the women’s fine apparel and accessories boutique brings the 209 area styles of easy elegance and understated luxury. Sousa-Downs, who has years of experience in the fashion industry and as a stylist, serves as a fashion concierge to help guests cultivate a style all to their own.

Showcasing the styles from Liliana Downtown are mother and daughter duos from the 209, who are sharing some of the best fashion advice they’ve been given.

Liliana Downtown is located at 1525 J St. in Modesto. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday. For online shopping visit https://lilianadowntown.com. ■ 209MAGAZINE.COM

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Liliana Sousa-Downs is wearing Black Halo Holden sheath in white.

Sebastiani Kim is wearing Black Halo Alexandria sheath in tangerine terrace.

Sebastiani encourages me to be comfortable in my own way. Our styles are different, which means our comfort levels are different as well, however, she admires my creative passion. ­—Sousa-Downs

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arts&culture

Laurie Christopher is wearing a Halston Charlie Kimono jumpsuit in cream.

Madysen Morais is wearing Black Halo Evie jumpsuit in orange tangerine.

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Madysen Morais is wearing Black Halo Moss mini dress in lemon glow.

My mom told me to always take risks. I think she really taught me to not be afraid to put crazy things together and just be myself when it comes to fashion. ­—Morais 209MAGAZINE.COM

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arts&culture

My mom always taught me - through words and by example - that trends may come and go, but dressing in a way that flatters your own body and coloring and makes you feel good will always be in style. ­—Smith Callis

Kathy Smith is wearing Velvet

by Graham & Spencer Elaine peasant top in pink and Velvet by Graham & Spencer Hillary pleated pants in mauve.

Hilary Smith Callis is wearing Black Halo Isabella pants in white and Ali and Jay Little Paradise top in light blue.

209MAGAZINE.COM

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Kathy Smith is wearing Black Halo Lylah dress in navy.

Hilary Smith Callis is wearing Black Halo Jackie O dress in cobalt blue.

Hilary’s always told me to keep wearing the classics but to accessorize with something avantgarde, and she’s good at saying ‘you are not too old to wear that’ when I ask if I am. To me, Hilary’s best fashion advice isn’t what she says but what she wears. I always know what’s on trend simply by looking at what she’s wearing and she’s usually made it herself. ­—Katy Smith

Some makeup provided by Intimo Skin Care 1535 J Street, Ste C, Modesto, CA 95354 (209)575-2200 @intimo_skincare www.intimoskincare.com Flowers by - Petals To Stems @petalstostems Desserts by - Heart’s Beautiful Creations (209)534-8129 @heartsbeautifulcreations 209MAGAZINE.COM

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LIFE

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Call us for all your insurance needs

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(209) 661-4699

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www.farmersagent.com/glittle 2307 Oakdale Rd., Ste 805 Modesto, CA 95355

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Looking for direction in this volatile market?

There's nothing like a bouquet of freshly picked roses to give to that special someone.

Give the gift of forever flowers to the one you love or create this painting for your own home - either way it's a win!

Michele W McCall, AAMS® Financial Advisor

202 East F Street Oakdale, CA 95361 209-848-4496

A perfect painting for Mom

Bring your Mom with you and paint together, or paint it for her as a gift.

Sunday, May 10 • 2:00 - 4:00PM 3440 McHenry Ave, S E6 Modesto, Ca Register online at www.pinotspalette.com/modesto/event/39230

e d wa rd j o n e s .co m

Discounted Fair Admission and Motorsport tickets go on Sale Saturday, April 25th!

Make sure you enter the county’s largest talent exhibits, such as: Homemade Wine & Brew Paintings Drawings

Livestock And much much more!

View our exhibitors handbook online or pick up a copy at the Fair office.

For further information visit our website.

July 10-19, 2020 www.StanCoFair.com

#stancofair

209MAGAZINE.COM

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thegreatoutdoors

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pring is one of the best times of year to fish. The word spring itself, means to rise.

Not only is it the most beautiful time to be outside enjoying the outdoors, but some of the biggest fish are often caught during the spring. ■

The greatest challenge that I have as a local angler is deciding where I want to fish and being at the right spot at the right time.

If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that spring is not the time to leave a productive spot or area thinking that all the fish have been caught. Often, new fish will move up on a spot throughout the day. Sometimes it’s best to let a spot or area cool down a bit, while planning to return to the same spot or area later in the day. Many bass tournaments are won in the spring by anglers fishing only one or two areas. The biggest bass that I ever caught in a tournament was caught when returning to spot I had fished earlier that morning.

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The Lakes This time of year can be tricky for a lot of our local lakes. With the snow melt and spring rains, lake levels can fluctuate or muddy up, making it difficult for anglers cruising the shallows while looking for bedding bass. It’s always a good idea to fish around areas where the water is running off into the lake. Usually there are some fish hanging around those areas looking for an easy meal. If you’re looking for bedding fish, it’s best to plan your trip around the moon phase, as which each full moon a new group of fish move up shallow to spawn. Instead of looking for bedding fish sometimes it’s best to fish parallel to the bank while keeping your bait in 5 to 10 feet of water. Fishing for trout during the spring can also be very rewarding for anglers fishing off the bank and while trolling for them. Most of our local lakes have been planted all winter and the trout that haven’t been caught most likely went deeper. Many of them can be found shallower now making them easier to catch. One of my favorite baits to troll continues to be a small Triple Teaser, chrome with a hammered finish. Trolled between 20 and 30 feet deep just about anywhere locally catches fish in the spring. As far as bank fishing, it’s tough to beat fishing with Power Bait. I have always kept it simple and hooked a ball of Power Bait 2 feet behind a small split shot and fished off the bottom. The key is making sure that you have enough Power Bait on your hook so that it floats off the bottom.

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thegreatoutdoors

For bass fishing it’s tough to beat a drop shotted Robo Worm in Margarita Mutilator color or even a wacky rigged Senko.

The Delta I’m drawn to the Delta in the springtime.

There’s just something about the place that makes me want to fish the Delta more than any other place I can think of. This time of year, there are some huge bags of fish being brought to the scales. For bass fishing it’s tough to beat a drop shotted Robo Worm in Margarita Mutilator color or even a wacky rigged Senko. Topwater baits also begin catching big fish. Chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, Square bills, Swimbaits, and lipless rattle baits are also major players in the spring. The key to fishing the Delta in the spring is to find areas out of current. Current washes away eggs. Many anglers, like myself, focus on flooded islands, bends and pockets between tulles. The spring striper run should be in full swing. I heard about it for years until I finally experienced it for myself. One of my favorite places is 5 miles north and south of the Rio Vista Bridge. Trolling for Stripers with deep diving Rapalas or Yo-Zuri’s is a no brainer. The striper like to stack up in those areas and usually easy limits can be caught. One thing to consider is how fast you’re trolling.

Striped Bass have no problem catching up to a bait going between 2 and 4 mph.

If you’re out fishing in the spring and I’m not, one thing is for sure, I’m jealous. Fishing in the spring can be hit or miss at times but when it hits, there’s nothing like it.

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The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Center survives by donations from our sponsors, business’s in our community, individual donations & street sales of the Kidz Day Paper sold every May for the past 23 years.

We need your help to keep these programs going.

Please help with any donation you can.

We are in this together!

Kidz Day paper street sales has been postponed until a later date.

◆ Aquatics Program ◆ Boxing Program ◆ Baseball Program ◆ Computer Lab ◆ Homework Program ◆ Teen Center ◆ And Many Other Programs!

Please mail donations to The Salvation Army Kidz Day P.O. Box 580480 Modesto, Ca 95358 For more information on how to donate please call (209) 538-7111 or go to www.redshieldmodesto.org.

Advertising support provided by the 209 Magazine

209 Magazine 38-Apr-May 2020.indd 39

4/1/2020 3:34:14 PM

thegreatoutdoors

By MATT JOHANSON

A

half dozen teenagers and one slightly-older teacher will bicycle out of San Francisco this June, on their way across the Central Valley, over the Sierra Nevada mountains and then all the way to New York City.

These lucky seven cyclists from San Francisco’s Ruth Asawa School of the Arts call their upcoming journey “Pedal Towards the Future,” and the group aims not only for the adventure of a lifetime but also to make a statement.

“This isn’t just a bike trip. We’re also going to spread our environmental message along the way: pedal power over gas power. It’s as much about the journey as it is the destination,” said Emmet Forde, 17, a high school senior.

“We believe that a youth-organized and led cross-country bike trip can grab a lot of attention on a global issue by taking on a major challenge with an important message behind it,” said Grace McGee, 18, another senior.

These same youths got a taste of

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both physical challenge and environmental inspiration while hiking the 220-mile John Muir Trail in 2018 and 2019. Weeks of trekking with heavy packs over high mountain passes far from the comforts of home both hardened and inspired the teens.

“That opened up a lot of new doors for us, including exploring the ways we can rely less and less on fossil fuels and technology,” said Forde. “Transportation is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions and air quality issues. As young people, we are growing up into a world shaped by the effects of a changing climate, and are anxious to take action.

After hiking the John Muir Trail showed us how far we could travel on our own two feet, we wanted to continue to explore ways to get around without using fossil fuels.”

What’s more, the cyclists aim to spread that message across the country on their 48-day, 3,500mile ride (followed by a three-day train ride home).

They invite others both young and young-at-heart to get on bikes and ride along for any distance.

“We’re trying to encourage other youth to put themselves outside of their comfort zone, and make a step towards shaping a brighter future,” said McGee. “We want to show that a couple of kids with a mission can take on a big challenge, share a message, and really take charge of our lives as we take our first step toward adulthood.”

Assisting these idealistic and ambitious teens is their teacher and mentor Andy Padlo, who biked across the country when he was 17, and who has guided at least ten groups of students on the John Muir Trail over the last 15 years.

“I really believe in the power of youth-planned and led adventures in helping young people develop leadership skills and confidence to affect change,” said Padlo, 58, a Turlock native. “What these young folks are learning about organizing and communicating, achieving ‘grand vision’ and making things happen by exercising their own developing skills is transformative.”

The riders realize the mountain-sized magnitude of the challenge they have chosen. In preparation, the group has been taking practice rides and learning about bicycle maintenance and repair.

“I expect this to be extremely difficult, challenging both physically and emotionally, and so

This isn’t just a bike trip. We’re also going to spread our environmental message along the way: pedal power over gas power. It’s as much about the journey as it is the destination.

— Emmet Forde it will, by its very nature, be tremendously rewarding,” Padlo predicted.

The San Francisco cyclists plan to keep costs low by camping out most nights, cooking their own food and only occasionally springing for a motel room or restaurant meal. Still, they expect the expense to reach $15,000, a big bill for high schoolers, so they welcome donations at gofundme.com/youthbikeamerica.

Another way to support their cause is to ride a bike now and then instead of driving. Through their Environmental Club, the students encourage other youths to bike or roll to school with pledges and incentives such as pizza slices and snacks.

“Anyone can take the necessary steps towards fighting for a better future,” said McGee. ■ Well-wishers and the general public can follow their progress at instagram.com/youthbikeamerica/.

209MAGAZINE.COM

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Teenage cyclists prepare for a cross country ride which they call “Pedal Towards the Future.”

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COMING THIS FALL

Quail Creek is the ďŹ rst new home community to be built behind the gates of Copper Valley in over a decade.

The spectacular single-story homes, on large lots, have two or three bedrooms. Bordering preserved open space, Quail Creek is just minutes from the Award-winning Copper Grille, the 18-hole championship golf course and Sports Club. To learn more visit CopperValley.com or call 1-209-785-5600.

Best Mountain Dining

Best Mountain Golf Course

Brokers must accompany prospective buyers on their first visit to register for potential commission. Copper Valley Properties, broker license #02084615. This is not an offer where prohibited by law. Models are not an indication of racial preference. Artist renderings are subject to change. All prices, floor plans, maps, specifications, materials and amenities are subject to change at any time without notice or obligation.

All square footages are approximate. Copyright 2020 Copper Valley Properties

209 Magazine 38-Apr-May 2020.indd 42

CVD-024 Quail Creek at Copper Valley 209 Ad ME01

Date: 03/19/20

4/1/2020 3:34:30 PM

By KRISTINA HACKER

T

here’s a lot to love about the sport of golf. There’s the connection to nature that’s inevitable when you spend hours outside endeavoring to master varied terrains, the easy comradery that develops on the course and, of course, pursuit of the perfect swing. The 209 has a lot to offer golf enthusiasts.

We have put together a short list of local courses that will not disappoint. We encourage you to visit one — or all — when the opportunity rises, and also continue to discover other hidden gems around the region. ■

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PHOTOS BY DALE BUTLER/ 209 Magazine

feature

very couple of days, Del Rio Country Club Director of Sales and Marketing Lisa Tessaro offers tours of the 70-plus-year old destination to potential members.

Located on 325 acres at 801 Stewart Road in Modesto, the centerpiece of private club is 27 holes of golf.

“The cart attendants will go to your car and help you with your clubs,” Tessaro said. “They will carry them for you. We’re very service-oriented.”

Golf enthusiasts have the option to play on three different nine-hole courses.

The Oak and Bluff courses were designed by architect Billy Bell in 1946. The average Oak/ Bluff course rating is 71.2 from the blue tees with a course slope of 124.

Del Rio’s River Course opened in 1997. It was designed by architect Robert Muir Graves.

“One of the beauties of Del Rio is you can mix it up,” Tessaro said. “You don’t have to play the same nine holes every time.

Located on 325 acres at 801 Stewart Road in Modesto, the centerpiece of Del Rio Country Club is 27 holes of golf.

The private club’s three nine-hole courses are open Tuesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset.

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Being one of the club’s with 27 holes, you don’t have to wait to play the game. Getting people on the course in a timely manner is important.”

Proprietary, Executive and Young Executive club memberships pay for unlimited access to the three golf courses, state-of-the-art practice facilities, fitness center, tennis facility, pickle ball, clubhouse, dining rooms, bocce, and all social events.

“We have a wonderful state-of-theart practice facility,” Tessaro said. “We have two putting greens, a driving range with all the hazards, and chipping. We also have a lot of professional instruction available. The idea is to give value to everybody.”

For more information about the Del Rio Country Club, visit delriocountryclub.com or call 209-545-0723.

— Dale Butler

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PHOTOS BY DALE BUTLER/ 209 Magazine

One landscaping change that was made at River Oaks Golf Course in Ceres involved transforming an old tree stump into a gnome house. It’s located just off the second tee. Longtime teaching pro Greg Silva completed the project in six days. He modeled it after the clubhouse.

iver Oaks has been a staple in the Ceres community for close to 40 years.

Located at 3441 Golf Links Road off Hatch Road, the par-58, 18-hole golf course changed ownership when it was purchased by the Thornberry and Hall families in August 2015.

“River Oaks is unique in a lot of ways, one being its location on the river bluff and in town,” Ryan Thornberry said.

“We’re privately-owned. We’re also an executive-style golf course, meaning shorter than your regulation 7,000-yard par-72 golf course. We’re able to provide the golf experience in a much more condensed time. You can play a round in 2 to 2 and half hours versus four to five hours.”

The par-27 front-nine course sits atop the river bluff and totals 1,111 yards.

One landscaping change that was made involved transforming an old tree stump into a gnome house. It’s located just off the second tee. Longtime teaching pro Greg Silva completed the project in six days. He modeled it after the River Oaks Clubhouse.

“People talk about the gnome house all the time,” Silva said. “There’s not another one like it.”

Located along the banks of Tuolumne River, the par-31 back-nine course cur209MAGAZINE.COM

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rently totals 1,736 yards.

The course’s yardage will be increased to 2,175 yards this June.

“We’ve added yardage,” Thornberry said. “We’ve redesigned all the tees and greens. We’ve made the course a little more challenging and fun.”

River Oaks’ practice facility features a driving range with lights, and a large putting green along with a practice area for chipping and pitching.

The driving range is over 150 yards wide and 300 yards long.

Founded in 1979 by Jim and Carol Phipps, River Oaks has survived flooding, recession and a change of ownership during its existence.

“They bought a golf course that needed a lot of tender loving care,” Silva said.

“And have done it. They saved the place.”

For more information, visit riveroaksceres.com or call 209-537-4653.

— Dale Butler

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feature

ocated in the rolling foothills of the 209, The Golf Club at Copper Valley is an 18-hole championship course that provides a challenging — and scenic — round of play. Golfers can not only test their abilities thanks to the course’s dramatic and gentle changes in elevation, but also take in breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite and the surrounding wildlife as they tee off.

“We have the ability to be one with our area, the Sierra. A lot of the courses around here in the 209 are still kind of city-locked...our course is still a part of nature, and as you’re playing out here you get to see more trees than houses,” Peters said. “You have that seclusion that you’re only able to find in the mountains, which is truly a great getaway from life, the city and all of the craziness that goes on.”

The Golf Club at Copper Valley first opened as Saddle Creek Golf Club in 1996. New ownership took over in November 2018, and the course opened with its new name in July 2019. Since then, ownership has focused on ensuring Copper Valley visitors enjoy golf and events held at the club, as well as exploring new opportunities for the community to go on adventures in the area. Their on-site bungalows allow guests to turn a golfing trip into a vacation, and soon, outdoor excursions like visiting a beekeeping operation, 209MAGAZINE.COM

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taking a horseback ride or even going for a hike can be coordinated through the club. In addition, 209 residents don’t have to be a member to utilize the club’s sports center where they can play tennis and pickleball, go for a swim or schedule a meeting.

“We want to give people more options than coming here just to golf,” Peters said.

Over the years, the course has received numerous awards, including recognition as the 10th best public access course in the state of California by Golfweek Magazine in 2013. Golf Digest also voted the course the seventh best New Upscale golf course in 1997 and has also rated it four and a half stars. Only Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill are rated higher in the state.

The Golf Club at Copper Valley is located at 1001 Saddle Creek Dr. in Copperopolis.

For more information about the course or events, visit www.coppervalleygolf.com, or call 209-785-7400.

— Angelina Martin

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ituated along the Stanislaus River amid the neighboring orchards, Spring Creek Golf & Country Club in Ripon has a lot to offer all ages of golfers.

The bucolic course is extremely well treed with valley oaks, evergreens and a variety of deciduous tree specimens. Besides a variety dog-leg holes and some fairway bunkering, the green complexes themselves are strategically guarded with bunkers that can escalate the difference between risk and reward.

Also incorporated into portions of the course design is the use of water and other lateral hazards that not only add beauty and character to the surroundings, but create a sense of awareness while playing.

There are five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels, measuring over 6,400 yards from the championship tees and plays to a par of 71. With its manicured, bent grass greens and predominately Bermuda grass fairways, it can prove to be quite a test, as well as fun, for everyone.

“Spring Creek Golf & Country Club is truly a gem in the Valley,” said general manager Steve Hupe. “The Club is 55 years old this year and has a beautiful eightyear-old clubhouse that has won an award for architectural design excellence. More importantly, the golf course is a challenging and beautifully manicured 18-hole championship layout highlighted by an abundance of majestic, centuries old oaks.”

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The Club has just completed the second phase of a three-phase front 9 greens renovation project spearheaded by Certified Superintendent Mike Stieler.

“The new green complexes are state-ofthe-art constructed, classic designs reproduced from the Golden Age of golf course architecture in the 1920s and ‘30s and are truly unique in the valley,” said Hupe.

According to Hupe, the Club’s familycentric vision is truly the main drawing card for prospective members. Spring Creek’s Junior golf program, led by PGA section award winner and head golf professional Shea Rollins and PGA Junior golf award winner and director of player development Shelley O’Keefe, is second to none.

The Club hosts numerous serious and just-plain-fun tournaments for all family members as well as other family activities that encourage participation in all areas of the Club, including golf, swimming, Bocce ball, fitness and social events.

— Kristina Hacker

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or nearly a century, Turlock Golf and Country Club has stood as one of the most interesting and challenging courses in the 209. The club is not only one of the oldest golf courses in the Central Valley, but one of the most respected thanks to its neat greens and friendly atmosphere.

The course opened in 1924 and has stood the test of time thanks in part to its unique layout, which features 57 bunkers and water features that come into play on five holes. In addition, all 18 holes now feature freshly-planted Hybrid Bermuda turf, which stays green longer in addition to providing an excellent playing surface.

The club invites players to improve both their golf game and their social life courtesy of the clubhouse — a gathering place for events of all shapes and sizes, from wedding receptions and birthday parties to business seminars or work meetings. Couples exchange vows on the course often, and many a fundraiser has been hosted on the links.

In addition to the golf course, the club has a fully-stocked Pro 209MAGAZINE.COM

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Shop, an Olympic-sized swimming pool staffed with a certified lifeguard from Memorial Day through Labor Day and a full-sized restaurant and catering facility. Friendly PGA professionals are also on staff who are qualified to teach private, semiprivate or group lessons to men, women and junior golfers, and instructors utilize state-of-the-art computerized swing analysis to perfect the swings of both novice and veteran golfers.

According to Club President Steve Williams, Turlock Golf and Country Club offers a “warm, friendly and relaxed culture combined with competitive golf and camaraderie on the best manicured golf course in the Valley.”

For more information on TGCC, visit www.turlockcountryclub.com.

— Angelina Martin

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ften referred to as “Stockton’s hidden gem,” The Reserve at Spanos Park offers 209 golf enthusiasts a nearby escape featuring impeccable greens. The renowned links-style golf course showcases incredible sunrises and sunsets with Mt. Diablo as a backdrop, and is secluded from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

“The greens are fast and it’s a true links-style golf course. It really takes players back to the original golf courses that were first designed in Stockton — lots of water, lots of sand,” said Terry Jones of The Reserve at Spanos Park. “It’s a golf course you could play every day and not get tired of it.”

The championship course offers a challenging layout and was designed by noted golf course architect Andy Raugust, formerly a member of the Jack Nicklaus design team.

It opened in 1999 and totals 360 acres, and its 18 holes feature 7,000 yards, Par 72 and four sets of tees.

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lakeside thanks to The Reserve at Spanos Park’s very own restaurant, which provides a vast selection of craft beers and wine as well as delicious breakfast and lunch menus.

The golf course’s pristine condition entices players near and far to visit, Jones added, with Bay Area golfers often making the trek over the hill to play. In addition to the well-kept course, there are plenty of views to take in while they play thanks to the blue herons and egrets who call the course’s many lakes home.

“The golf course is in great condition and it’s really a nice place to play,” Jones said. “People are willing to drive the extra mile for it.”

— Angelina Martin

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ituated perfectly “above the fog and below the snow” the par 72 Greenhorn Creek Resort golf course has become a true destination location in the 209.

The 6,740-yard course is a Robert Trent Jones II design and is within easy reach, a short drive away in picturesque Angels Camp.

“It is the perfect situation,” explained Director of Marketing and Sales Bonner Grupe, whose family has owned Greenhorn Creek since 1998. “Sometimes when you are playing, you can see the fog right below us.”

The course is just one of the amenities at Greenhorn Creek, as there is also lodging, bocce ball, swimming, tennis, a fitness center, a PGA teaching area for golf lessons, a putting green, driving range, and the popular CAMPS Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek.

Under the direction of noted Chef Bob Anderson, Grupe said he is known throughout the region and around the state.

“He has quite his own following,” Grupe said. “Our food is probably the finest food in the Gold Country.”

The restaurant does private events and Greenhorn Creek Resort is also a wedding venue; they have room for up to 250 people.

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“There is lodging available through our Caddy Shack and cottages,” Grupe added.

In fact, the ‘Caddy Shack’ is unique in that it can host up to 12 people, so if a group of golfers want to make it a destination for a special overnight or weekend outing, they can stay there as a group. The location is also available for parties of up to 12 people coming in just to explore the Gold Country; you don’t have to be there to play golf to enjoy a stay in the Caddy Shack.

“We specialize in groups of eight to 12 but we also host tournaments of all sizes,” Grupe added of the golfing side of the resort business.

Greenhorn Creek Resort is open daily; the hours vary by season and so do prices for the multiple amenities.

Greenhorn Creek Resort is located at 711 McCauley Ranch Road in Angels Camp. For information on booking a tee time, call 209729-8111 or visit www.greenhorncreek.com.

— Marg Jackson

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51TEA COVER

GREAT GOLF. GREAT FOOD. GREAT FRIENDS.

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By SABRA STAFFORD

A

cup of tea might not be part of our daily routine here in the

209 like it is in other parts of the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an option. We found four delightful tea houses in the 209 area with unique blends and spins on the traditional beverage. ■

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A guest at My Detox Lounge in Tracy won’t find a China tea cup in the shop, but they will find a foot bath, an essential oil chamber and an infrared sauna.

My Detox Lounge is billed as an urban tea lounge and detox and is putting a new spin on the traditional tea house.

“People can come here and try a new experience,” said Lisa Williams, the shop manager. “It’s about slowing down and enjoying the moment you are in.”

The idea behind My Detox Lounge was to blend the health benefits of tea, like the antioxidants that can help some chronic diseases, with restorative practices for the mind, body and soul. It proved to be a winning combination with the shop routinely drawing in regular guests, as well as new visitors.

The detox services range from a Zaaz session on a whole body vibration machine to an essential oil chamber where clients can experience a combination of essential oil blends with color light and sound therapy.

The most popular service is the ionic detox foot bath. The ions in the water work to pull out toxins from the body. My Detox Lounge offers 30 and 60 minute sessions.

My Detox Lounge offers a range of base teas like green and black and signature tea blends with options like cold-buster, focused-energy and Zen blend. Guests can also create their own teas by picking a base tea, an herbal fusion and a flavor to create a unique blend.

“It’s like tea artistry,” Williams said.

One of the more popular options is the allergy buster, which blends white and herbal teas with herbs for a sweet and savory taste that provides some allergy relief.

The shop also sells loose leaf teas, tea flights to sample the different blends and essential oil shots.

My Detox Lounge takes walk-ins and reservations. The shop also offers memberships to those who want to use the detox services regularly.

My Detox Lounge is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

917 N. Central Avenue Tracy (209) 650-6330 mydetoxlounge.com

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22727 Columbia Street Columbia (209) 532-1885 columbiakates.com

Located in the historic gold mining town, Columbia Kate’s is a tea house steeped in history and reflects the pioneer lifestyle that built the town.

“It’s an eclectic style,” said owner Clare Bazely. “Everything’s a mix and match. I love the aspect of repurposing.

When I think of the pioneer days, people that traveled and made their lives in a place like this, they weren’t where they could just buy everything matched and perfect. They made do with what they had. My principle is make do with what I have. Our cups and saucers on the table are all orphans.”

That style is part of the overall charm at Columbia Kate’s, which set up shop in a building originally built in the 1890s as a barn. The first time it was a tea house was under the name of Sierra Gold Tea Company, which was owned

by Kathryn McMahon. The shop closed in 2003, but McMahon had inspired Bazely and in 2007 she opened her tea house in the same spot and named it Columbia Kate’s in honor of McMahon.

Six years after opening Bazely expanded the business with a bakery and a boutique located across the way.

“I call it one business under three roofs,” Bazely said.

The real star of Columbia Kate’s is the tea, which Bazely dedicated herself to learning more about before opening the shop. She’s taken blending classes, attended the World Tea Expo, and visited a Hawaiian plantation where tea is grown.

“I’ve always loved tea,” Bazely said.

“It’s my number one beverage.”

The shop blends all the various loose leaf tea flavors offered on the menu for some unique and tasty creations. Bazely’s personal favorite is the button blend, with its mix of vanilla, caramel, mint and rose petals. It can be served hot or over ice, as can all the teas.

“I’ve had many guests who weren’t sure they were into tea until they have all the flavors from the loose leaf tea leaves brewed to the right time and temperature,” Bazely said.

“All of a sudden, they’re like, ‘wow, I never knew I liked tea so much.’”

Columbia Kate’s offers three different options for a tea service with one option the Motherlode Tea for Two - comes with four courses that includes scones, salads, tea sandwiches and desserts.

The shop also offers a selection of food items like praline pecan pear pie and bread puddings from the bakery, as well as sandwiches, soups, salads and some savory classics like chicken pot pie and tarragon meatloaf.

“We hear a lot of comments like, ‘that’s the best chicken pot pie I’ve had in my life,’” Bazely said.

The bakery makes all the baked goods for the tea shop, as well as items for the bakery cases. It is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The boutique features consignment items from local artisans, antiques, including a large collection of antique buttons, and loose leaf tea.

The tea shop is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

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Tucked into a little shopping center located a few blocks from downtown Lodi is The Hidden Tea Room, where guests can step into an opulent dining room and slow down the pace of life over an elegant tea service.

The Hidden Tea Room was opened by Terrie Greetafter she found success with her first business, Corner Scone Bakery, which is located next door to the tea house.

“We were making scones in the bakery and I thought it would be kind of fun to do tea services,” Green said. “The space just lent itself to it.”

Tea services were only offered on the weekends after the bakery had closed and were routinely sold out, so Green started to look at expanding the business next door where an old bar had sat empty for two years.

Green transformed the space into a beautiful dining room with a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling and fine china on the tables.

The Hidden Tea Room offers two types of tea services. Cream teas are served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with no reservations needed, unless it’s for parties of three or more. The service menu includes four options, which range in prices and offerings like warm tea scones, bakery-made desserts, tea sandwiches, and bottomless tea pots.

“It’s a little more casual just in that traditionally it was served at a quicker pace,” Green said.

The high tea service is an opportunity for guests to dress up and experience a decadent afternoon.

“We make this more formal,” Green said. “It’s five courses and it takes two hours. It starts with scones hot out of the oven and we serve it with a sweet butter and a lemon curd that we make and a jam. It’s followed by a sorbet, which is a palate cleanser, then a savory like a quiche and then another savory like a puff pastry filled with meat or cheese.

Tea sandwiches cut into shapes come next. The last course is a dessert sampler with options like macaroons, lemon bars and toffee bars. It really does have a more elegant feel to it. On every level and every sense, it’s an experience.”

High tea service is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Reservations must be made and children in attendance must be five years or older.

The weekends are also when The Hidden Tea Room holds some of its themed tea parties, like “Downton Abbey” or “Alice in Wonderland” tea parties and teddy bear teas for children. The shop also hosts private parties in the tea room and in their secluded patio.

The tea house has a gift shop and the staff can help guests select items to host their own tea parties, including the loose leaf tea, tea sets, fancy sugar cubes and delectable treats from the bakery.

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310 N. California, Lodi (209) 452-5366 hiddentearoomlodi.com

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1794 W. Olive Avenue Merced (209) 355-7759 mangotangotea.com

Mango Tango Tea in Merced is a place where guests can enjoy a Taiwanese tea experience complete with drinks that are both delicious and eye-catching, and an array of divine desserts and other tasty foods like ramen noodle bowls. The K-Pop music in the shop is just the right music to complete the experience.

The shop sells hot and iced teas and has a loyal following for the green tea it carries, which is a high-quality variety imported from Japan. The shop uses the green tea in a number of drinks like the matcha ice cream milk green tea and the mixed fruit green tea.

Two often ordered teas at the shop are the butterfly teas, which uses the butterfly pea flowers mixed with tea and fruit. The combination creates beautiful drinks.

Mango Tango Tea’s dessert options include fruit-topped waffles, honey toasts and macaroons.

But by far the most popular desserts are the crepes. The delicate crepes are wrapped around ice cream, Nutella, whipped cream, and fruit. The dish is topped with drizzled chocolate and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Mango Tango Tea is open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

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flavors

By VIRGINIA STILL

P

PHOTOS BY VIRGINIA STILL/ 209 Magazine

urgatory is said to be a place where the soul is cleansed of all impurities which, if you drink enough whiskey at Purgatory Whiskey Bar and Craft Beers in downtown Tracy, it may help one easily forget about all their sins.

A true whiskey bar with over 180 varieties, they also offer a full bar with vodka, tequila, rum, gin and eight draft beers on tap. There really is something for everyone at Purgatory.

Owner Kevin Cox did research prior to opening the bar in Tracy, spending time at other establishments in the big cities within the surrounding area including San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz. After getting through all the red tape they were finally opened in July 2018. For almost two years now, they have perfected their impressive whiskey list, craft cocktails and food menu. With a passion for whiskey and craft cocktails, Bar Manager Danny Sogar spent quite some time creating the cocktail menu.

Guest favorites include the Blackberry Bliss, made with gin, Worth a Chai made with tequila, Boots with the Fur made with rye whiskey and the Last Laugh made with gin.

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The bar has five shelves of whiskeys from around the world like Japanese, French, Indian, Irish, American and many more. The top seller at Purgatory for the whiskey drinkers is the old fashioned Up in Smoke. It is made with a little more effort than most old fashioned drinks, as it is made like the standard and then in another glass topped with a mesh strainer and hickory chips burnt with a torch with the smoke being collected in the glass and the chips turned into embers as the drink is poured through the burning chips, dousing the flames and truly smoking the drink.

Sogar’s personal favorite is the Unfernetable, made with Fernet Branca amaro.

“Fernet Branca is kind of an insiders, bartenders’ type of drink,” he said. “It is very bold and very bitter and most people if they tried it, they say ‘… this is like toothpaste and gasoline’ but the application with this liquor is so vast so you can basically do anything with it. It is a fun and unique cocktail.” ■ 209MAGAZINE.COM

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IF YOU GO GETTING THERE: PURGATORY WHISKEY BAR 31 W. 10th St., Tracy HOURS: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday INFO: facebook.com/purgatorywhiskeyandcraftbeer/

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flavors

Wildfire heats up local dining scene

By VIRGINIA STILL

T

he fire pits atop Wildfire Public House not only heat up the nights in Modesto, they are an indication of environment that awaits visitors to this eatery.

Owner John Ismail wanted to create something a little bit different for people with this restaurant that would be “a final destination” where people can “come in and feel comfortable.”

Located at 1533 Oakdale Rd. in Modesto, Wildfire Public House features a “Nuevo California fusion” type of cuisine, according to Ismail, with a creative menu that is filled with a variety of dishes.

“We wanted to create a very warm, inviting environment with more of a big city feel that I think we were lacking around here,” stated Ismail. “We kind of went out on a limb as far as our food and our menu goes. We worked almost eight to nine months on our menu with a lot of different chefs and celebrity chefs.”

Some guest favorites from the appetizer menu are the Asparagus Cigars, wonton wrapped stuffed asparagus with a tarragon cream cheese, and lemon pepper; the Ahi Tuna Tower that is sashimi grade tuna marinated with ginger soy vinaigrette, fresh tomatoes, avocado, wasabi cream and fried wonton skins; Drunken Mussels with chorizo, fresh garlic, shallots, stout broth and grilled baguettes; Edamame tossed in a roasted garlic onion sauce; and Lamb Lollipops that are grilled with chimichurri pesto.

The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and on Saturday and Sundays they offer an a la carte brunch with items like the Wildfire Pancakes, Chicken ‘n Waffles and Avocado Toast. They offer lunch specials like the two for $12 Monday through Friday menu that features soups, sandwiches, salads and pastas.

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On the dinner menu some of the popular items are the Filet Mignon with a wild mushroom demi-glace, the Roasted Garlic New York Steak, the grilled Atlantic Salmon, and the Rack of Lamb served up with rosemary baby potatoes, chimichurri pesto, and asparagus.

The massive bar has over 20 beers on tap, wine options, and custom cocktails made with top shelf alcohol like the It’s Lit Margarita that is truly on fire and

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We wanted to create a very warm, inviting environment with more of a big city feel that I think we were lacking around here. ­—John Ismail realistic warm glow.

“Our menu is always evolving based on popular trends in the food industry,” explained Ismail.

There is a fire room that can hold about 40 guests for parties, meetings, or any private event. The patio can host 50-plus people and they also offer catering for events.

“We are here to make sure that every guest is taken care of like they are our own family,” said Assistant General Manager Michael Youkana.

“We go the extra mile not only with the food but with our service as well. I think that we really go above and beyond to take care of our guests and make them feel like they are at home.” ■

PHOTOS BY VIRGINIA STILL/ 209 Magazine & Mariam Pourmand

209MAGAZINE.COM

made with Casamigos Blanco tequila infused with jalapenos that will light your mouth on fire.

Ismail started off as a bus boy in a restaurant many years ago and the business became his passion. He has been in the industry for two decades and Wildfire is his 15th restaurant. The name was inspired by the fact that he wanted to create a warm environment, hence the fire elements on the interior and exterior of the restaurant.

Although the interior fire elements are not real, the water vapor with red L.E.D. lighting gives a

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flavors

V AL du VINO

By KRISTINA HACKER

P

assion is a key ingredient in a successful winery and Val du Vino has it in spades.

Winemaker Jonathon Phillips and chef Jeannine Hebel have used their talents and life experiences to create a truly unique winery that offers visitors a taste of the good life.

“I grew up in a family that enjoyed wine. My dad has a really good palate and still does to this day at age 94 — so maybe, drinking wine all those years was good for his health,” said Phillips about wine being a part of his life from a young age.

Phillips, who has a doctorate in biochemistry, started his career teaching at Gavilan College in Gilroy where he introduced winemaking courses.

“There was a time you could propose any class and if students showed up, you could teach it…So, I proposed a class. You needed 25 students to show up and 40 showed up,” he said.

At one point, Phillips said he decided to put aside his academic career and follow his passion — to the mountains where he became a “ski bum.”

During this time is when he met Hebel. The two then spent some time traveling the world.

“She’d write food reviews and I’d write wine reviews and shoot tourist videos,” Phillips said.

After getting “bored” with the globe trotting life, the two found their way to Murphys and the 1920s era barn located at the west end of the town’s Main Street.

They now make award-winning hand-crafted wines and a few times a year they treat wine club members to Hebel’s culinary expertise through special pairing dinners.

“We introduce our wine club members to foods they may not have ever had and yet treat them to foods that they’re familiar with,” Phillips said. “It adds a dimension to our winery that not

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all of the 30 plus tasting rooms here (in Murphys) has.”

When Val du Vino first opened, it was winery number six in Murphys. The town now boasts over 30 tasting rooms.

“In the 14 years, it’s gone from a town where dogs were sleeping in the street to a destination,” said Phillips.

Phillips said that the winery has turned into the perfect endeavor for him and Hebel, as they can use all the skills they’ve acquired throughout their lives, from winemaking and creating exquisite meals to greeting visitors from around the world.

“Initially it takes a lot of passion and love,” said Phillips.

“We’re fortunate as we have just approached 70 that we have a good team of employees that know our style. Janine the chef is quite the perfectionist, which has forced me to up my skills.

“We have a good crew so we can now certainly enjoy the fruits of our labor.” ■

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2016 Zinfandel — Rock Wall Vineyards Gold Medal Winner at the 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition This full-bodied Zinfandel has dark cherry fruit flavors with accents of baked Marion berry and currents. A fruit profile that lingers on the tongue and finishes with cracked pepper.

Spanish Dragon — Dragone Vineyards The Spanish Dragon is well balanced with notes of dark cherries and hints of red plum with deeply structured tannins that linger on the palate.

IF YOU GO LOCATION Val du Vino, 634 French Gulch Rd., Murphys HOURS 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday CONTACT 209-728-9911 or Valduvinowinery.com

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navigator

La Jolla Cove California

By VIRGINIA STILL

M

y favorite place to escape to is the ocean, especially the Southern California coast.

There are several beaches to escape to in California and one of my favorite places to refresh and relax is La Jolla Cove. Rejuvenating oneself at the ocean is a no brainer as it seems to successfully hit all five of our senses. The sight of the endless ocean can give a feeling that there are bigger things out there; the sounds of the waves crashing is just calming; the smell of the ocean air puts an instant smile on my face; the taste of a tropical beverage and the feeling or touch of the warm sand between your fingers and toes just has a great way of bringing you closer to nature and encompassing your entire being with peace.

Besides the obvious reasons for spending time on the coast, true adventures await you at La Jolla Cove with the

various activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, bicycling, and swimming to name a few. There are several restaurants in the area to satisfy any palate like George’s at the Cove, Duke’s La Jolla, the Crab Catcher, Brockton Villa Restaurant, Jose’s Mexican Restaurant, Cody’s La Jolla and many more. The small sandy beach known as La Jolla Seal Beach is a great spot to see several wild seals and sea lions resting in the sun. The Birch Aquarium allows guests to get up close to marine life.

For the surfers that may want to catch a wave heading to Tourmaline Surfing Park would be the perfect place as it is known to be a premier surf spot. The La Jolla open air market downtown has galleries, boutiques and restaurants. The Farmer’s Market is a great spot to get fresh produce.

The shops, arts, restaurants and ac209MAGAZINE.COM

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tivities that can be found all around La Jolla Cove make this destination a top three on my list of escapes. The ocean views, the warm sand, ocean air, and the calming sounds of waves crashing has always been something that refreshes my soul.

When I was younger, we would take the trip from the Central Valley to La Jolla shores to enjoy our family reunions. It was a long drive but always worth it. Not only was spending time with family and seeing relatives that you only saw once a year amazing but also splashing around in the California ocean and soaking up the sun made that all-day event one that was anticipated each year. For me, I don’t really have to do too much when I hit the beach as sitting on a blanket, or in a chair is plenty enough for me to enjoy and absorb my surroundings. ■

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 0

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fulloflife

SIMPLE

By TERESA HAMMOND

BACKGROUND PHOTO BY IAN DOOLEY/Unsplash

I

t’s time to get real.

This is a thought which plays on my mind more and more, the older I get.

In complete honesty, I’ve sat on this thought for quite some time. The last issue of 209, just as I thought I’d created professional suicide revealing my personal “pause,” I learned something exciting. We mid-life ladies are not alone. Not only are we not alone, but we are embracing/happy to be in one another’s (open) company.

Even more confirming and exciting was the feedback of those younger than me, openly sharing it’s a topic which 209MAGAZINE.COM

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was never discussed in their families, not to mention circles. The opening of the conversation in our publication; liberating. How cool is that?

So, as I sat at my desk, reading letters of “thanks” from readers, I realized this too may be an area in which I’m not alone.

Simply put, I don’t know when looking like ourselves became so “uncool” (for lack of a better word). The reality of this statement is even bigger than I think some ever realize.

Case in point, not that long ago I happened upon a brief video posted to an influencer’s Instagram story.

The 30-something shared her challenge for all to be seen in their “realness” and “true” beauty. She openly shared with her followers that she was making this post sans make-up, lipstick and the like.

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When did we become so openly comfortable with altering our natural state

dith mother E My grand e time th t a 5 6 e White ag f life. face full o taken. A

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has created? Do I want to see them desiring augmentation of any form at a young age? And what message of vanity do I want them to follow as an example?

So here I am, a 50-something mother of two, daughter, partner, friend and writer, sans all make-up, aging as I should – gracefully, or at least I hope so.

This is the route which my mother took and her mother as well. Two true beauties in my unaltered eyes. Now because of them and the path of aging they led for me; I will do the same for my daughter. Besides, that money saved can be used for lots more memory making and less recovery time. Cheers to laugh lines and moisturizer. ■

PHOTOS BY MARISSA CABRAL

I sat watching puzzled as I looked past her lash extensions (which I also have) to her eyes just below her Botox-filled forehead and above her cosmetically plumped lips.

Following me here? This is not her “real”/ “true” beauty. Sorry not sorry, but I find it mind blowing that a business which once relied on people trying to defy aging late in life is now supported by peoeple early into their 20s.

What happened to aging gracefully? What happened to viewing crow’s feet, laugh lines and the like as imperfections well earned?

When did we become so openly comfortable with altering our natural state? And when did we become so delusional that we consider such modifications as us in our “real” state?

Oh yes, I know the age-old argument of you “paid” for it so it’s yours, but ladies (and gents) come on!

Oh sure, beauty enhancements and augmentations have been around for decades.

I think what’s caught me the most off guard is the number of young women who are equally on the bandwagon. One influencer recently posted photos with her kids openly sharing how uncomfortable she was before the shoot as it had been way too long since her last fill and touch up. She, by the way was in her early 30s and honey I am here to tell you those lines have nothing on the ones you will earn by true midlife.

As I shared this topic and my thoughts on bringing it to our pages with a friend, I quickly outed myself for my “classic” maintained lash extensions. Onboard with the idea behind my thoughts she quickly pointed out lashes are not different than nails – they’re removable.

Puzzlement with the fear of gracefully aging aside, I also marvel at the money these “middle” Americans are spending to fight the hands of father time. This trend is not just exclusive to influencers and celebrities, mommies lining up at pick-up right alongside us are equally on board.

All this being said, I can almost hear the words of some of you: live and let live. Great point.

My concern, however, comes as an aging woman, who happens to be the mother (and influencer) of a son and daughter. What message would I be sending to them if I was constantly on the chase to “fix” what time

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fulloflife

Tri tri again

By TERESA HAMMOND

I I always like to say I want to make a triathlete introduced into a lifestyle and not just a bucket list.

— Ryan Coelho

t’s a setting that many 209 residents flock to each and every summer. As New Melones has grown in popularity, it is the hope of Ryan Coelho that the relocation of his event will equally add to the location’s visibility.

Coelho, founder and CEO of USAP Events, is excited to bring his annual California Triathlon event to the Angels Camp area. Previously hosted in Pleasanton, the California Triathlon is a family event which will be staged at New Melones on June 20 and 21.

“The hardest element with a triathlon is the swimming leg and finding a body of water that one, works for the safety elements but is also in a beautiful place,” Coelho said of the relocation of the event to the foothills.

“All my events are in beautiful places and it fit naturally. New Melones Lake was a perfect fit.”

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shared numerous things which he enjoys about bringing the endurance events to varying communities. One of the many things which he highlighted includes the possibility and variety offered for all ages and physical abilities.

“The one thing that’s key about triathlon is education,” he said. “People think that a triathlon is Ironman distance only and that’s the biggest fear. Ultimately, it comes down to education about what’s needed. You can do this as a relay.”

Coelho’s company also hosts clinics which he shared are not just informative but also beneficial to help participants properly prepare. A triathlon comprised of a swim leg, bike leg and run finish can range in distance depending on the level a participant chooses to challenge themselves with. The relay option allows participants to share the fun in equal parts with family or friends.

Other events available for participants during the weekend include: a duathlon, youth duathlon, open water swim, paddle triathlon and family fun run. All events and registration information can be found at

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www.usapevents.com “I want to make this an annual event,” the producer stated. “To do this effectively, I want to develop and have a non-profit element. I partner up with those non-profits and then you make it a community event and it just uplifts the event.”

Coelho also stated he looks forward to highlighting the beauty of the area and believes it can be a great destination for people from out of the area.

“I think it fits perfectly, based on the lifestyle of triathletes and endurance athletes,” he said of the Angels Camp area and event course at New Melones.

And while the event is just a handful of months away, the endurance racer himself shared there’s still time for one to register and properly prepare for one of the two triathlon distances offered. Coelho shared an Olympic Tri distance takes 12 weeks of training, while a Sprint Tri distance takes eight weeks to prepare for.

“I would say 80 percent of my participants are type ‘A’ individuals,” he said with a chuckle.

“They are people who are determined. They are goal-oriented. They want everything to be perfect.

“I always like to say I want to make a triathlete introduced into a lifestyle and not just a Bucket List,” Coelho added of the ultimate goal

with first time participants.

With the partnership of the new city location and the amenities it has to offer, Coelho is encouraged by the potential for event growth as well as the accommodations attendees have to choose from. Campsites, as well as close by hotels and activities add to the appeal of the foothills race.

“Logistics there are very nice,” he said of the area. “The location is a two-hour drive from every major city, less than for Sacramento.”

“Excited to have a host city like Angels,” he continued. “I love their tag line, make Angels a destination to live, work and play and I think that’s something we can do.”

Once all is said and done, however, Coelho admits the accomplishment, love and enthusiasm of the finish line is where he finds the most joy. That, coupled with the age variance of participants, keep the producer both motivated and inspired. This year participants of his events range in age from eight years to 92.

“I think the biggest thing for me, in everything I do is the age. I look at how we’re impacting everyone,” Coelho stated.

“The one thing I love which I allow for, which Ironman doesn’t is that you can run down the finish line with your family members,” he said. “You’re achieving something. I want you to achieve and take that picture and share it with people you love.” ■

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placecalledhome

T

By FRANKIE TOVAR

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here are countless adages about family but perhaps the most well known is the cautionary warning given to aspiring entrepreneurs: Don’t mix family with business.

While that saying has guided many throughout the years, sisters Megan Tuggle and Michelle Guzzi came to the conclusion that the sentiment didn’t apply to them. Instead of looking at their sisterhood as a negative, the two business-minded women turned it into a strength as they decided to tackle the real estate market and dive head-first into the world of house flipping.

“My grandpa presented us with an opportunity.

He had been flipping houses for several years and he was willing to guide us and show us the ropes,” Tuggle said.

“People always say don’t do business with family because the potential is there for something to go wrong. I didn’t foresee that happening with Megan or my grandpa,” Guzzi said. “We wanted to do something together because we’re so much alike, but we also thought it was a good opportunity to spend more time with our grandpa.”

Seeking to enhance their interpersonal connections and turn a profit at the same time, Tuggle

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PHOTOS BY FRANKIE TOVAR/ 209 Magazine

and Guzzi took a hands-on approach to learning from their grandpa and secured their first project just days after deciding to move forward with the business venture. Their proving ground presented itself in the form of a 2,500 square foot home in a highly desirable Modesto neighborhood.

“The first house happened pretty quickly,” Tuggle said. “It was a great location, but it needed a lot work.”

“We were literally thrown into it,” Guzzi added.

After surveying the house, the two devised a game plan to transform the outdated house into a modern home suited for a family. This is where the real fun began.

“We wanted to feature an open concept so we knocked down the kitchen wall. We put in new cabinets,

new carpets, new paint, tile – a little bit of everything really,” Tuggle said.

“We did most of the work on our own but also got help from more family, like my fiancé who took care of all the landscaping.”

“It’s fun to get a little dirty and be a part of the project,” Tuggle added.

After working on the Modesto property for three and a half months, the sisters managed to get the home off the market almost immediately, receiving an offer within a day of its listing and selling it for asking price.

“It all happened super fast,” Guzzi said. “It was a great experience because it got our foot in the door in terms of managing a budget and keeping and timeline.”

Their first venture was a success, so the next logical step for Tuggle and Guzzi was to up the ante with

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“We go into the project hoping for a profit, but it’s also rewarding to see that we’re able to enhance the neighborhood.

Taking a house that’s in rough shape and making it better for a new homeowner is worth all the hard work.”

— Megan Tuggle

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placecalledhome

a larger, more involved and hopefully more profitable house flip. With location being the primary factor once again, the two settled on a 1,543 square foot property in Turlock for their second effort.

But instead of renovating what was already there, the sisters opted to build an addition to the existing structure, turning the three-bedroom house into a 2,005 square foot four-bedroom home complete with a master suite, walk-in closet and laundry room. They had found the challenge they were looking for.

“We had confidence going into the second house, but we knew the process was going to take longer because we wanted to add an addition,” Guzzi said. “We both saw how much potential the house had.”

While their first flip showcased their ability to transform and sell a home quickly, their second flip revealed their aptitude at bringing concepts together to create a cohesive and stylish living environment.

“My sister and I feed off each other and we complement each other’s style,” Tuggle said.

“We really enjoy an open concept house where the kitchen flows into the living room.

Light patterns, colors and textures,” Guzzi said. “But we know we also have to be conscience of potential buyers, too. We have to appeal to everybody not just our own tastes.”

Unlike their first experience, however, the Turlock home has not sold quickly as it still on the market due to the time needed to build the addition as well as other unforeseen circumstances such as the coronavirus pandemic.

Still, the delay hasn’t extinguished the sisters’ enthusiasm for what has become a shared passion.

“It’s challenging but it’s also really satisfying when you see the end product,” Tuggle said.

“We go into the project hoping for a profit, but it’s also rewarding to see that we’re able to enhance the neighborhood. Taking a house that’s in rough shape and making it better for a new homeowner is worth all the hard work.” ■

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placecalledhome A working water wheel surrounded by greenery and flowers is a centerpiece in the yard.

By SABRA STAFFORD

S

PHOTOS BY VIRGINIA STILL/209 Magazine

haron and John Vaughn didn’t always have the time to go off on vacations, so instead they built themselves an outdoor oasis in the yard of their Escalon home that they can visit any time.

“We both worked so much we could never get away,” Sharon Vaughn said. “We worked three jobs and then farmed, so this was our little sanctuary.”

What they created is a beautiful yard of well-manicured lawns, a myriad of colorful flowers and lush greenery. The centerpiece of the yard is a giant magnolia tree planted in the 1930s.

For Sharon Vaughn the green thumb was something she inherited.

“My grandmother and my mom were gardeners and inspired me,” she said. “My grandmother’s yard in Oakdale was always the feature shot in the spring story for the Oakdale Leader in the 1940s and 1950s. She just made me love gardening.” ■

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The star of the yard is a magnificent Magnolia tree that was planted in the 1930s.

The wood for the covered walkway was reclaimed from DeRuosi Nut in Escalon.

River rock marks a pathway around a colorful collection of perennial flowers and shrubs.

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marketplace

By ELIZABETH ARAKELIAN

L

attes flavored with rose, spicy beetroot or activated charcoal sound like something one might find in a hip coffee spot in Los Angeles. But, one local business owner is elevating the Central Valley’s coffee culture with these creative craft drinks and more at his downtown Merced café.

Justin Shen opened Asip Coffee Roasters Co. in November 2017 as the first specialty coffee shop in Merced. While there is an emphasis on inventive, unique lattes, Shen said the whole goal is to highlight the coffee itself.

“We really want the coffee bean to shine,” Shen said.

Green coffee beans, which are mainly sourced from countries in Africa and Latin America, are brought to Asip where a range of flavor profiles are developed. Upon entering the coffee shop, customers see a large roaster, where one to two times a week Shen roasts the coffee beans that are used in house.

At Asip, patrons can choose which roast they’d like for their pour-overs, from light to dark roasts, with flavor profiles from the floral to the fruity.

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We really want the coffee bean to shine. ­— Justin Shen

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I treat my baristas like family. It’s so much more than being a barista, it’s a lifestyle and a culture.

Everything at Asip is handcrafted and for drinks like lattes, any inventive flavorings are made in-house. Local and natural ingredients are always firstchoice, from the milk and syrups in the drinks, to the pastries and baked goods offered on the counter.

Education is also important at Asip where patrons can take latte art classes and learn about the art of coffee. Shen himself has even participated in the national roasting competition and said he enjoys sharing his passion for coffee with others, especially his staff.

“I treat my baristas like family,” Shen said. “It’s so much more than being a barista, it’s a lifestyle and a culture.”

Shen took two of his baristas with him to China last summer for the opening of his second Asip location.

The café, located in the city of Suzhou, opened in August 2019.

“I call that shop a parallel universe,” quipped Shen. “It’s almost identical to the Merced location, but it’s in China.”

Shen is originally from China, so the Asip shop abroad is a way he can connect his roots with his current home.

“We tell people it’s a California coffee shop,” he said.

Although Asip has already gone global, next steps for Shen include expanding within California. He is currently searching for additional locations that might be a good fit for Asip.

In the meantime, locals can venture to the Merced location for a fine cup of joe, latte or iced drinks.

Whatever the choice, the ingredients are sure to be wholesome, local and original. ■

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IF YOU GO LOCATION 425 W. Main Street Merced, CA 95340 HOURS 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday CONTACT asipcoffee.com or facebook.com/ASIPCOFFEE

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voting begins May 15

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