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FEATURE One of the best things about living in the 209 is the abundance of natural beauty. Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore everything the area has to offer, from Yosemite’s world class waterfalls to centuries-old big trees and the commanding view from Mt. Diablo.

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PAGE 50 MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK

THE BIG TREES

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Vol. 2 No. 13 ■ April/ May 2016 ■ $4.95 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

EDITOR Kristina Hacker

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAHERS Alysson Aredas Kathryn Casey Dennis D. Cruz Teresa Hammond Melissa Hutsell Marg Jackson Matt Johanson Claudia Newcorn Candy Padilla Richard Paloma Virginia Still Chhun Sun Frankie Tovar Natalie Winters Dennis Wyatt Doane Yawger

ART DIREC TOR Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mackenzie Alameda Jaime Ramirez

ADVERTISING DIREC TORS Chuck Higgs Taylor Phillips

SALES & MARKETING Beth Flanagan Tara Levy Colette Robison Corey Rogers Dora Roth Melody Wann Doreen Wynn

SPECIAL CONSULTANT Larry Dovichi

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

As we move into spring I can’t believe that we are publishing our two-year anniversary issue of 209 Magazine. When we started we had no idea where this would take us, but thanks to our readers and advertisers it has grown and evolved exponentially over the past two years. 209 Magazine has nearly doubled in size from our first issue, while our distribution has grown from 200 initial drop locations to over 500 due to requests and demand. Combined with subscribers, we distribute 15,000 copies of each issue. As we move forward, my hope is that we continue to earn a spot in your life as we bring you stories and information about our region, a place we refer to as the 209. In this issue we are focused on some of the unique features that this area has to offer. From places to hike as spring arrives to some of the festivals that our area has to offer. We also continue to focus on fitness, highlighting a Boston Marathon runner as well as Teresa’s column on Fitness & Beyond. Richard also continues to highlight great area restaurants. In this issue he writes about Vino 100, Seven Sisters and Dewz. Be sure to check them out! We are also previewing the annual Kidz Day campaign supporting the Salvation Army Red Shield Center of Stanislaus County. When approached by the committee to see if we would support Kidz Day this year it really hit home. I was part of the first committee that launched Kidz Day many years ago and it meant a lot that they came to me at the suggestion of a longtime friend and colleague, Patty Tharp. Patty was instrumental and a driving force behind every Kidz Day. Sadly, we recently lost her to cancer. We are planning a special tribute in this year’s Kidz Day issue so it has extra meaning to me and many others. Have your dollar ready on May 10 for this very special Kidz Day edition. As always we thank you for taking the time to read this and every issue of 209 Magazine. We welcome your comments, calendar events and stories. We hope you will support the businesses and charities that have chosen to partner with us. We appreciate them and look forward to being the most relevant magazine in your home, a place called 209.

138 S. Center St. •Turlock, CA 95380 Comments: khacker@209magazine.com www.209magazine.com ©Copyright 2016. 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 mangament or owner. 209 Magazine assumes no responsibnility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

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Hank Vander Veen Publisher hvanderveen@209magazine.com

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intheknow

any Cambodians arrived in America not long after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge, one of history’s most brutal and ruthless regimes. That was in 1979. To this day, Cambodians continue to make an effort to keep many of their traditions and beliefs alive — far, far away from their homeland. This year, it’s no different for the people behind the Stockton Cambodian Buddhist Temple, or Wat Dhammararam in Khmer, the Cambodian language. The temple, located at 3732 Carpenter Road in Stockton, will hold its annual Cambodian New Year celebration on April 15-17 that includes religious ceremonies and traditional customs, dances, games and foods. Expect the temple to stay open from dawn to dusk during those days. Other temples across California and the U.S. will celebrate the holiday during the Year of the Monkey. Traditionally, the three-day event

By CHHUN SUN marks the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labors before the rainy season begins. This year, worshipers believe a mythical angel known as Mondar Tevy will enter homes and temples at 8 p.m. April 13 to bring in the New Year. Worshipers build temporary shrines filled with flowers, fruits, biscuits, incenses and candles to welcome her. Every year, it is believed that a different angel commences the holiday. In America, however, Cambodians tend to celebrate the New Year on the weekends as a way to keep their heritage alive while having the younger Cambodians — who are usually American-born with limited knowledge of the upbringings of their parents and grandparents — experience it firsthand. “We're trying to keep these traditions alive, definitely,” said Lee Inn, a member of the Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Association Inc. board. He 209MAGAZINE

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is also the president of the temple’s advertising department. “If they don't continue or just don't have too much concern about it, you actually will fade out. That's my fear the most. Even the temple, I'm afraid it's going to fade out too.” The Stockton temple — considered one of the largest in America — was established in 1982 to honor Theravada Buddhism, the more conservative of the two major branches in the religion that is practiced mainly in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Burma/ Myanmar and Laos. Three years earlier, the Khmer Rouge regime fell in Cambodia. Headed by dictator Pol Pot, the regime is responsible for the deaths of nearly two million Cambodians through starvation, executions, torture and work exhaustion during a four-year period. Shortly after, large waves of Cambodians started arriving in America. According to the 2010 U.S.

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Census Bureau, there are about 276,000 Cambodians in America with most of them in California and Massachusetts. Stockton has the fifth-biggest population of Cambodians at about 12,500, while there are nearly 4,000 Cambodians in Modesto. Many of them find refugee every year at the Stockton temple, which is known for its more than 90 colorful, larger-than-life jewel-encrusted statues that illustrate the life and times of the Cambodian Buddha. Those statues will be hard to miss for visitors of the temple during its New Year festivities, which include special dishes and traditional games. Look out for a cake called kralan, which is made of steamed rice, beans, grated coconut and coconut milk and stuffed inside a slowly roasted bamboo stick at one of 80 food and merchandise vendors. Nearby, children might be

seen playing Leak Kanseng (closest translation: Hide the Towel), which is similar to Duck, Duck, Goose expect that a child places a towel behind someone’s back and runs around the circle to the open spot before he or she is playfully tagged by the towel. One New Year custom involves pouring a mixture of water and chalk power on elderly people for good luck. These traditions, Inn said, seem to be fading as the older generations are dying and the younger people continue to become Americanized. He hopes Cambodian children and young adults can take the time to appreciate one of his culture’s biggest yearly celebrations; the other is Pchum Ben, a 15-day festival later in the year that honors deceased relatives. “By attending ceremonies regularly, you will learn,” he said. ■ 209MAGAZINE

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IF YOU GO WHAT: The Cambodian Buddhist Temple features over 90 colorful and larger than life jewel encrusted statues that celebrate the life and story of the Cambodian Buddha. WHEN: Visitors are welcome to the Cambodian Buddhist Temple during daylight hours. WHERE: 732 Carpenter Rd., Stockton COST: Entry is free, however, donations are accepted. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit A free, self-guided tour can be found at: http://www.visitstockton.org/things-to-do/ free-things-to-do/stockton-cambodianbuddhist-temple-wat-dharmararam.

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intheknow

Sportsmen of Stanislaus honor local athletes By DENNIS D. CRUZ

or nearly five decades Modesto’s Sportsmen of Stanislaus Club has honored local high school athletes throughout the 209 at the annual Outstanding Athlete Awards program. This year marks the 49th annual OAA at the SOS Club. “The SOS Club was started in 1957 by a group of eight men to help the financially struggling California Relay, the world-class track and field meet,” said Shanale Phipps of the SOS Club. Since its opening, the club has gone through several transformations and currently has three Olympic size pools, seven tennis courts, seven racquetball/handball courts, two basketball courts, a fitness center and aerobics studio to help members keep fit. Also featured at the club are a full bar, restaurant and full service banquet facilities. It is there in the banquet hall that athletes, coaches, family members and professional athletes gather for the annual OAA event. “The Outstanding Athlete Award was started to recognize Stanislaus County’s top athletes and sports contributors,” said Phipps. Over the last 49 years, each year a sellout, the SOS Club has gotten top name athletes and coaches to step up to the microphone and tell the story of their high school days, and their journey to the top of their respective sports. Such gridiron legends as John Elway, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw and most recently Eric Dickerson in 2015 have graced the halls of the SOS Club. Heroes of the diamond have also been a part of the iconic event, such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Tommy Lasorda, Yogi Berra and Willie Mays, all of whom took time to come to Modesto to share the story of their respective careers. Others from around the sports world have also taken part in years past including tennis legend Billie Jean King, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and even Walter Cronkite also appeared at the SOS Club in 1982. This year the club booked former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky, who was scheduled to speak in front of a sellout crowd on April 6. At the ceremony, several awards are given out including 209MAGAZINE

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Men’s and Women’s High School Prep Division; Men’s and Women’s Open Division (local students who have gone on to succeed at the collegiate level) and Boys and Girls High School Team of the Year honors are given out. Among other awards are the Darell Phillips Award (Outstanding Coach); Jay Pattee Memorial Award (acknowledgement to an individual who has devoted his time to the sports community). Scholarships are also given out in the name of Tom Mellis. Another unique portion of the event is the SOS Club Hall of Fame. Established in 1981, when they enshrined Cy Young who was born in Modesto, each year they present a new inductee. Hall of Fame members include Joe Rudi, Kenny Roberts, Claude Terry and Suzy Powell. Longtime area sports journalist Ron Agostini, a member of the OAA Athlete Selection Committee since the late 1970s, serves as the emcee of the evening and has done so for the last five years. Agostini interviews the nominated athletes in a question and answer session, followed by a brief interview with the special guest speaker of the evening. “Former Bee sports editor Darell Phillips asked me to help the selection committee all those years ago, and I’ve been a part of the OAA ever since,” Agostini said. “I like to think of OAA night as Stanislaus County’s sports version of the Academy Awards. We honor the county’s best athletes each year, and it’s always been a tribute to them. They represent their families, schools and communities so well. It’s really the least we can do to recognize their achievements.” Agostini also said the location is ideal. “The Sportsmen of Stanislaus Club is the perfect venue for this night. One look on its walls, with all the photos of some of the greatest athletes this nation has seen, is enough to know,” Agostini said. Dinner is served just before the awards ceremony. The SOS Club is at 819 Sunset Ave., Modesto. For more information on the club, log on to sosclub.com. ■ APRIL/MAY 2016

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intheknow

By VIRGINIA STILL

eteran comedian Paul Rodriguez, who has been entertaining people all over the world for three decades, will be hitting the stage at Jackson Rancheria Casino in the Grand Oak Ballroom on May 20. Rodriguez has been in several films including “Mission Air,” “Without Men,” “A Cinderella Story,” “The Deported,” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” to name a few, as well as television series and comedy specials. In March 2015, he opened the Laugh Factory comedy club in Scottsdale, Arizona and has recently performed a one-man show which he wrote called, “Just for the Record” which is available on DVD. Along with making guest ap-

pearances on several Late Night shows like “The Wanda Sykes Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and “Politically Incorrect,” Rodriguez has also given his voice in a few animated series including “King of the Hill,” “Dora the Explorer,” and “The Proud Family.” He was also the executive producer and starred in a knockout comedy concert called “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy.” With a long list of comedic influences, Rodriguez explained that there were not too many Latino comedians at that start of his career that he could look up to. Due to some of the opportunities that he landed, Rodriguez was able to meet some of his comedic influences like Lucille Ball. 209MAGAZINE

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“I was on the Bob Hope Christmas special and in the dressing room I talked to Lucille Ball for about two hours, which I will never forget that,” said Rodriguez. “It was like watching Mount Rushmore come to life. She was everything as far as an icon. I was very lucky.” Rodriguez spent some time as Richard Pryor’s driver and was friends with comedian Rodney Dangerfield. “There were really no Latino comics out there that I could relate with so I kind of had to invent it,” added Rodriguez. “It is just hard when you are the first.” With several Latin comics on the scene now like Gabriel Iglesias, the way has been paved by performers like Rodriguez years ago.

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But it isn’t always about the laughs. Honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the City of Fresno for his work on water conservation, Rodriguez has continued to stay involved with the community he grew up in. He is chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition and has been instrumental in driving the California Water Bond Measure. “I figured that is the best I can do to give back to a community that afforded my family a home,” expressed Rodriguez. “We are very grateful. “Both my parents are gone but I hope they are proud that I took some time off and we formed a Latino water coali-

tion and we passed this bill that nobody said we could do.” Rodriguez just finished a film called, “Praying for Rain” that was filmed at Harris Ranch and the surrounding area. The film is about the struggles with the drought and the plight of the farmer. Although Rodriguez has a long résumé as a comedian, actor, writer, director and producer, there is one thing that he will always go back to and that is stand-up. “I have always had this saying, what got you there will keep you there,” said Rodriguez. “Stand-up is the reason why I do anything. I enjoy that the most; it comes more natural to me. I am too young to retire 209MAGAZINE

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and too old to be new.” The upcoming performance in May will be family friendly, according to Rodriguez, so feel free to bring your grandma. “My material is not all that complicated; it is about relationships, about, you know mistakes that you have done, growing older and hopefully wiser, that sort of thing,” said Rodriguez. “I have to continue to work on my act. I get a lot of joy to come up with routines that make people laugh. “I want everyone who is reading this to come out and support your grandpa of comedy.” To purchase tickets to Rodriguez's May show at Jackson Rancheria, visit jacksoncasino. com/entertainment. ■

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intheknow

By DOANE YAWGER

hey all have a gritty, determined look about them — wanting to pull out that last ounce of effort to win out against fierce odds. Twenty-seven amateur and professional athletes from the Merced area are pictured in Jay Sousa's "Face of an Athlete" photography exhibit on display through April 15 in the Downstairs Gallery at the Merced Multicultural Art Center on West Main Street. The photo exhibit, in the works for more than a year, reflects Sousa's own determination for running, hiking and bicycling long distances in all kinds of weather and terrain conditions. He calls himself a "closet athlete" who loves sports and works out five or six days a week, running and biking on the outskirts of Merced or sometimes along rugged terrain in Yosemite, pushing himself to the limit of endurance. More than 70 high school, college and professional athletes were photographed in Sousa's photo studio, with just over two dozen making the final cut into the exhibition. "I know the dedication needed and how hard it is to go for a run in the cold," Sousa said. "I wanted this to show through the faces the dedication and hard work it takes." Sousa thinks the exhibit came out great and he is very happy with the

larger-than-life images that stare back with steely-eyed gazes at the visitor. "I am happy with the way the show looks visually. I think it came out great. The whole look of it is a work of art," Sousa says. The distinctive look of the athletes is achieved first by Sousa's studio lighting, then accented as the subjects are sprayed with glycerine to appear sweaty. Then post-production studio work adds to the look. Twenty of the pictures measure 32 by 47 inches and seven others are 16 by 24 inches. Sousa says all of them are his favorites but a couple stand out as signature pieces. One of the more intense is Livingston High School wrestler Ethan Dickey. Fresno mixed martial arts competitor Art Arcineaga strikes a fierce pose and the aura of a professional fighter comes through. El Capitan High School baseball player Braiden Ward also conveys the essence of how an athlete competes and wins. Sousa, a 1979 California State University Fresno graduate in photojournalism, was a full-time photographer for the Merced SunStar from 1979-83 but left the news business to purchase a commercial photo studio in Merced. He also has taught photography classes for eight years at Merced College. 209MAGAZINE

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I know the dedication needed and how hard it is to go for a run in the cold. I wanted this to show through the faces, the dedication and hard work it takes.

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Photographer Jay Sousa poses with work that is being displayed at the Merced Multicultural Center. The collection is made up of photographs of local athletes in the Merced County area.

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Sousa's photo exhibit is an outgrowth of his original plans to chronicle the bicycle racers who competed in Merced at the annual Merco Cycling Classic. That event ended in 2013 but Sousa realized he could do something compelling with athletes of all ages and different sports, including rodeo, bicycling, volleyball, basketball, football, soccer, wrestling and baseball. "I had a huge response from people who wanted to be photographed," Sousa said. "It took on a life of its own. I put it on Facebook and it just took off; it snowballed." People don't realize how hard it is for an athlete to stay in shape, Sousa said. He said all his athletic subjects had serious, "game face" looks on them. What he initially envisioned came out like he wanted. The Multicultural Arts Center gallery at 645 W. Main St. is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. ■ 25

PHOTO BY CANDY PADILLA/ 209 Magazine

Cheryl Barnett, a full-time sculpture teacher at Merced College for 28 years, said Sousa gets rave reviews from his students. Barnett collaborated with Sousa for about 18 months when he owned a gallery in downtown Merced. "You can count on Jay to do a good work," Barnett said. "I have grown fond of all the pieces he has done. This (exhibit) has quite an original theme I haven't seen before. He's fabulous in the studio and we are so fortunate at Merced College to have Jay Sousa." Sousa said this is probably his seventh or eighth photo exhibit over the years. A commercial portrait photographer, he also is known for his landscape and mountain scenes. Later this year he plans to start a new project but one in the same style as the athletes - photographing first responders. He said his exhibit has generated considerable interest in this style of photography and portraiture bookings have increased as well.

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intheknow

By DENNIS D. CRUZ

Escape Modesto’s CSI: Modesto room is the latest of the three escape rooms at their location. The CSI: Modesto room was brought in due to the popularity of the television series CSI and subsequent spinoffs.

ave you ever tried to escape your everyday routine? Do you fantasize about exploring Egypt in search of King Tut’s treasure? Perhaps you are sitting at home and watching the latest episode of "Crime Scene Investigation" and wonder what it is like to solve a crime? Or you are fascinated with television shows like "Prison Break" and imagined yourself as Michael Scofield and wonder what it was like to break out of the prison cell and go on the run? If you have said ‘yes’ to any of these, then thanks to three local brothers you now have your opportunity. Salim Mitri, Seri Mitri and Sammer Mitri have opened the first escape room facility in the 209. Escape Modesto, at 912 11th St., Suite 1 in downtown Modesto, opened up in October 2015 and has been a top-rated family destination since. “I first learned about the concept of escape rooms in July of 2015. I was visiting a friend in Athens, Greece. He had mentioned the idea and it intrigued me. It sounded like a lot of fun and at the time I had never heard of them. Modesto did not have anything like this,” recalled Seri. “I did some research and really became mesmerized by the concept of it. Modesto lacked things for young adults and families to do so when I returned home, I pitched the idea to my brothers and we decided Modesto would be the perfect location to open it. I had texted my brothers about it the night I found out about it and the three of us were very excited about it.” Escape Modesto has three challenging 209MAGAZINE

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escape rooms: King Tutankhamun’s Treasure, CSI: Modesto and Prison Break. Seri described King Tut’s room as “A time warp into ancient Egypt and the Pharaohs. The idea of searching for long lost treasure, but when things go wrong it quickly can become an Indiana Jones thing.” CSI: Modesto is the newest of the rooms and was brought in due to the popularity of TV series and its broad appeal to all ages. “We brought in this room because the overwhelming popularity of the television show. It is current and people are intrigued by the world of crime and solving mysteries,” Seri explained. “That was also the idea behind our prison break room. People are fascinated with Alcatraz and other famous prisons.” Other ideas were pitched by the public such as Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter, but copyright issues prevented the brothers from incorporating them into the venture. Each room has its own unique setting, and is full of clues to help guests succeed in their quest to escape. The goal is for a guest and nine of their friends or family members to gather all of the clues and escape the room in one hour. Sounds easy, but the success rate is low. Still, it leaves people wanting to come back for more. “My friends and I went into the Prison Break room and failed to complete it. We had so much fun that we wanted to do it again and try the other rooms. It was a lot of fun,” said customer Anthony Ihana on the challenge. Seri went on to add “It’s kind of like a scavenger hunt. Sometimes the clues are in plain

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nership with Modesto Junior College to offer a college-level nutrition course for Central Catholic students. He said the health class curriculum is being rewritten to focus more on nutrition. Ultimately Pecchenino hopes a “farm-to-fork” program will be created which will involve its Future Farmers of America students. Central Catholic is the third private school in California to have an FFA chapter. Students today have a tough time getting jobs while they are in school due to laws and regulations which make it difficult for them to get work experience, Pecchenino said. “We want to provide opportunities for students to learn a skill or trade. There are not a lot of jobs available for them until they get out of college. This is an opportunity to learn about taking care —— Robert Fantazia of themselves and get some work experience along the way,” Pecchenino said. As a college-preparatory school, Central Catholic’s goal is to get 97 percent of its students going to college. In the last five years 99 percent of its graduates have been college-bound. Pecchenino said Central Catholic has seen some expansion and remodeling over its half century of existence but nothing like the magnitude of the new fitness center project. The second phase of the expansion project on part of the remaining 17 acres will include a new softball practice field and an FFA classroom, with eight acres devoted to animal science programs. Four years ago Central Catholic hired Marco Cannella to run its food service programs. Not a typical school cafeteria, Central Catholic offers two bistros to tempt students’ finicky taste buds. Cannella and other chefs will work alongside students as they learn how to prepare food for the campus as well as large community events. Pecchenino sees Central Catholic running area tennis clinics, cooking competitions and perhaps hosting regional sports tournaments. He also would like to see the school periodically host events to teach participants proper fitness techniques for community members. “There is so much we could be doing as a community member. There aren’t a lot of event centers in Modesto,” Pecchenino said. The center is named for Mark Stephen Gallo, a 16-year-old Central Catholic junior who died Nov. 1, 1978 from a rare disease. Coaches and family members remember Mark Gallo as an easygoing, happy person who loved helping other people. — Doane Yawger of Merced is a semi-retired former newspaper reporter and editor. ■

“With the support of Central Catholic families, it took all of us to do this. It’s nice to see it come to fruition and I am extremely excited.”

being installed and the gym floor is being laid, Pecchenino said. With all this going on, he is confident they will meet their target late-April opening date. “We are in the home stretch,” Pecchenino said. “The primary purpose was to build this for Central Catholic students to expand and enrich their education, but once programs are up and running then we will invite the community.” Robert Fantazia of Modesto is chairman of the Central Catholic Foundation board. He said Pecchenino has been the driving force behind getting the fitness center built. “It’s been a long time coming and it’s very needed, very much so,” Fantazia said. “With the support of Central Catholic families, it took all of us to do this. It’s nice to see it come to fruition and I am extremely excited.” Fantazia is the chief financial officer for the Newman-based Cerutti Brothers’ farming operation. He has been foundation board chairman for about three years and involved with the school for eight years. A key feature of the new center is the nutrition lab. Doubling as a kitchen, the fitness center’s ultimate goal is have students work alongside the culinary staff and learn food service preparation techniques. Pecchenino hopes to expand the part-

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intheknow

By MARG JACKSON

amily-friendly and one of the area’s most unique festivals, make plans to hop on over to Calaveras County in May for the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee. Offered along with the Calaveras County Fair in Angels Camp, the jubilee is a venue for frogs and fun, not to mention some friendly competition. “We have different jumps, anybody that walks in can jump, people can bring their own frogs and we do have them available here,” explained Chris Thom, office coordinator for the Calaveras County Fair. “There is actually a frog spa underneath the main stage, they are humanely treated.” The 2016 edition of the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee runs Thursday through Sunday, May 19 through 22 and Thom said there are ‘jumps’ every day. The annual festivities bring frog aficio209MAGAZINE

IN THE KNOW-Frog Jubilee.indd 30

nados from far and wide, all seeking to break a frog jump record set some 30 years ago. “Rosie the Ribiter holds the world record, at 21 feet, five and three-quarters inches, back in 1986,” Thom explained. “Nobody has beaten Rosie.” While there are plenty of individual entries, Thom said the team challenge is the one that brings out the dedicated jumpers. “The team challenge is the historical part of it, teams from Oregon come, there’s a team from Gustine, teams that come and jump here from all over the area,” she explained. “Jumping goes on all four days and the main stage is where the frog jumping is handled.” Since the event runs in conjunction with the county fair, Thom said there are two separate carnivals going on as well, with one area aimed at younger 30

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intheknow

PATTERSON CELEBRATES 46 YEARS

Fiesta Fun

PHOTO BY DENNIS D. CRUZ/ 209 Magazine

By DENNIS D. CRUZ

or nearly 50 years the west Stanislaus County community of Patterson, also known as the Apricot Capital of the World, has embraced that title and has thrown a three-day street festival celebrating the apricot every year. This June, Patterson will host its 46th annual Patterson Apricot Fiesta in the downtown area. June 3, 4 and 5 thousands of festival goers will gather in the streets for the annual extravaganza. The weekend event kicks off on Friday evening with the crowning of the new Little Mister and Miss Apricot, along with the selection of Miss Patterson. Friday’s festivities run from 5 p.m. to 11p.m.

The historic wooden “Welcome To Patterson” sign has been a staple of the town and is located in the north part of Plaza Park where barbeques, drinks, arm wrestling and the Kids Zone are located during the annual Apricot Fiesta.

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WHAT: Patterson Apricot Fiesta WHEN: June 3, 4 and 5 WHERE: Center Circle Plaza in Downtown Patterson, to get to downtown Patterson take I-5 South to Del Puerto Canyon Road in Stanislaus County (Exit 434), then take Sperry Avenue to Park Center Drive.

Royalty graces the Patterson Apricot Fiesta parade as the various pageant contestants wave to the crowd during the 2015 parade through downtown Patterson.

Perhaps the most anticipated day of the event is Saturday. Like most multi-day events, Saturday draws the largest attendance. In the past, the day began with a hot air balloon show and rides, however, the long tradition came to a close. At 10 a.m., though, downtown Patterson will be packed with spectators for the annual parade that goes through the downtown circle. Other featured entertainment during the fiesta includes live bands, student and adult arts and show, craft and commercial street “It is an craft faire, arm wrestling contest, firefighters opportunity challenge at the Patterson Fire Departand the North Park hosts the kids for me and my ment, games and teen zone. family to get out “Saturday is my favorite day of the It is an opportunity for me and and enjoy the fiesta. my family to get out and enjoy the great great weather weather and reconnect with friends that have not seen in a long time,” said Patand reconnect Iterson resident Dave Guerrero. with friends that Nothing says street faire like deep food, barbecue, frozen treats and I have not seen in fried other tempting cuisine treats. Follow a long time.” your nose to the north part of Plaza Park where you will find the Patterson —Patterson resident Lions Club barbecue, as they fire up Dave Guerrero. ribs and other grilled items. Deep fried food is all the rage and the Patterson Apricot Fiesta will have you covered. Numerous booths will carry deep fried items such as Oreos, bananas and even ice cream. Over the years the sun has shown down on fiesta goers, and along with several drink vendors, soda, water and beer, there are smoothie and sno-cone vendors to help quench your thirst as well as cooling you off on a hot early summer day. The night comes to a close with a fantastic fireworks show, starting at dusk that can be seen for miles away in the Patterson night sky. 209MAGAZINE

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On Sunday the fiesta comes to a close but still has a lot to offer guests. Breakfast in the North Park kicks the day off bright and early beginning at 7 a.m. Like Sat-

PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTERSON APPRICTO FIESTA/ Facebook Page

IF YOU GO

urday, the large street faire that covers nearly 10 blocks continues on Sunday. Both the North and South Parks will be full of delicious beverages and foods along with fun for the kids. Sunday’s feature of the day comes in the early afternoon with the annual Apricot Pie Eating Contest at Circle Stage. ■

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feature

By DENNIS WYATT

209MAGAZINE

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ess than 30 miles as the crow flies from the glittering offices of Silicon Valley stalwarts such as eBay, Oracle, Facebook, Google and Yahoo stands a 330-foot tall tree that has been alive since before the American Revolution. Save for 80 miles of trails the largest grove of old forest redwood trees south of San Francisco is tucked away from the tech world of the Bay Area in the 18,000acre Big Basin State Park in Boulder Creek. If you want to see redwoods, you head to places like Boulder Creek west of the 209. That’s because they are true redwoods, as in California’s state tree. Their kissing cousin — the giant sequoia — are found in Yosemite and other parts of the Sierra. The redwoods that thrive in the moist foggy climate of the California coast are taller than the Giant Sequoias with the tallest reaching 378 feet surpassing the Statue of Liberty in height. Giant Sequoias are older and bulkier. The redwoods' average life expectancy of around 2,000 years is topped by the giant sequoias that can reach 3,000 plus years. While redwoods are tall and relatively slender the giant sequoias are tall and bulky. Giant sequoias are only found

on the western slopes of the Sierra in un-glaciered gullies between 4,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation. The warmth of the Sierra summer is essential for seeds to pop from its pinecones. The giant sequoia seeds and pinecones are three times larger than those of the redwoods. Giant sequoia is significantly coarser in texture than redwood. The rings of the redwood are also wider than the giant sequoia The world's largest living organism can be found three hours away from the 209 among the 8,000 plus giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park. General Sherman has more than 52,000 cubic feet, is 25 feet in diameter, soars 275 feet and is between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. The closest redwood grove to the 209 is Big Basin State Park in Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The "showcase" trail is the 10.6-mile loop to Berry

Creek Falls that takes you past numerous redwood trees. The route is considered strenuous and can be covered in six hours or so. That said, if you are willing to forgo the falls, you can hike about two miles into the loop from the southern end and enjoy gazing at numerous redwoods There are much shorter trails that are classified as easy. The day entry fee is $10. There is also a general store with a small restaurant near the park headquarters. The park is 17 miles as the crow flies from downtown San Jose. Driving distance from San Jose, though, is 30 plus miles given the windy, curving road you need to take once you leave Highway 17. Due to it being near the coast, the temperature this time of year while be milder than what you will experience visiting groves of giant sequoias in the Sierra. CONTINUED ON PAGE 58 

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feature

GIANT SEQUOIAS IN YOSEMITE When most people in the 209 think of giant sequoias they tend to look in their own backyard — Yosemite National Park. There are 63 groves of giant sequoias in the Sierra with the farthest north being a cluster of six trees in the backcountry of eastern Placer County found on the way to French Meadows Reservoir and the southernmost grove near the Kern River. Three can be found in Yosemite National Park. The first is just a mile of so north of the Tioga Road turnoff. It is where you will find the Merced Grove, the smallest and less crowded of the three giant sequoia groves in Yosemite with 20 trees. The trailhead is at 6,000 feet. It is three miles round trip and takes an average person 2 to 4 hours to hike a relatively smooth trail since much of it was a former road. The trail has a gain of 600 feet which you won't hit until your way back to our car. The next collection of giant sequoias is in the Tuolumne Grove that is accessed at a parking lot a half mile east of the turnoff to go toward Tioga Pass. There are more than two dozen trees in the grove. It is here that you will find giant sequoia that you can walk through. The trailhead is at 6,200 feet and involves a 2.5-mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet. It is also uphill on

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THE WORLD’S LARGEST LIVING ORGANISM CAN BE FOUND THREE HOURS AWAY FROM THE 209 AMONG THE 8,000 PLUS GIANT SEQUOIAS IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK. GENERAL SHERMAN HAS MORE THAN 52,000 CUBIC FEET, IS 25 FEET IN DIAMETER, SOARS 275 FEET AND IS BETWEEN 2,300 AND 2,700 YEARS OLD. 58

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the way back to your car. A typical person can hike the trail round-trip in 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Due to restoration efforts you won’t be able to visit the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite with more than 200 of the woody beasts until mid-2018 at the earliest. The entrance fee to Yosemite increased to $30 a vehicle for a seven-day pass. If you plan in taking two or more trips in the next 12 months, the $60 annual Yosemite pass is the better day. If you plan to hit Sequoia National Park or Kings River Canyon National Park - both east of Visalia — to see the largest concentration of giant sequoias in the world (actually they're only fund in the Sierra) including the famous General Sherman in the next 12 months — then the $80 national park annual pass makes sense. Yes, they do take credit and debit cards at the entrance stations. CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK If Yosemite is too crowded for your taste, the other major giant sequoia grove in the 209 can be found at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, three miles north of Arnold on Highway 4. The entrance fee is $10. But unlike Yosemite where day users can wander around 24/7, the park is only open from sunrise to sunset. That said, Calaveras Big Trees offers a more pleasant experience crowd wise compared to the Mariposa Grove along with more hiking trails in and around the big trees with somewhat easier elevation gains. ■

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209MAGAZINE

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NEWCORN

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“W

hen I first came here, tired of cities and people, I settled down on a little farm...130 acres of the most beautiful, primitive land to be found in California.” So wrote Jack London when in 1905, he purchased Beauty Ranch in Sonoma Valley as his haven from extraordinary success as an author, news correspondent and political activist. Over a century later, as the Jack London Historic State Park (JackLondonPark.com), it welcomes visitors with hiking trails, historic tours and unique insights into a literary giant. A Quietude of Beauty I accidentally discovered the park 20 years ago on a rambling drive up to Glen Ellen. An admitted lover of London’s writings (he wrote over 50 books, and hundreds of short stories), having the opportunity to visit his home was irresistible. My visit was too short, and I promised myself I would return. At this year, I did. London and his wife Charmian bought what were actually six bankrupt ranches. The volcanic soil of the region was considered “worked out” by poor farming techniques. But in his travels, London had observed how Koreans had successfully used terracing and methods that preserved limited land for thousands of years, and was determined to apply the practice to his new ranch. He succeeded, restoring the sloping hills to produce grapes and other crops. Incorporating innovative concepts would become his hallmark, and many are still used today. His passion for Beauty Ranch actually drove his writing, which he saw as a source of funding for ongoing projects. In London’s time, the open view from the sloping hills of Sonoma Mountain that overlooked the Valley of the Moon was stunning. A century later, native trees and plants have reclaimed the area, and a quiet forest cloaks much of the ranch’s peaceful 1400 acres. Time Capsule In 1916, at age 40, London died of gastrointestinal uremic poisoning. Charmian remained on the ranch until her death in 1955. At her behest, 39 acres were donated 209MAGAZINE

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to the State of California in 1959 to create the park. Jack’s stepsister, Eliza Shepard, to whom he was very close, inherited the property, converting it into a guest ranch. Subsequently her family decided to develop a world-class vineyard on a portion of the land, with the rest going to the park. At the park’s heart are the Museum/Visitor’s Center, London Cottage, Beauty Ranch and Wolf House, each a window onto the early 20th century. Start with the Museum, situated in the House of the Happy Walls, formerly Charmian’s home. The first floor’s video and exhibits provide an excellent orientation; the second floor is as it was in Charmian’s time, showcasing artifacts gathered from their travels. Make Wolf House your next stop, about a half mile walk on an old dirt road. This was London’s magnificent three-story dream home, built of stone and timber, with a reflecting pool, guest rooms, a great hall. But in 1913, a mysterious fire consumed it just before the Londons were to move in. Nobody knew the source until 1995, when forensic analysts at last determined it was a result of spontaneous combustion from a workman’s linseed-oil soaked rags. On a nearby hilltop are the Londons’ graves. London’s Cottage anchors Beauty Ranch. Take the docent tour to learn fascinating insights for each room and the Londons. My favorite room was his writing study, replete with books, his typewriter, a globe, golden afternoon sunlight strewn across his desk. I could imagine him, adhering to his strict regimen of writing 1000 words per day, gazing thoughtfully out the large windows as he worked on John Barleycorn or White Fang. Often described as a Renaissance man, he would have been fascinating to speak with. Close by are the ruins of the Kohler and Frohling wineries dating back to late 1800s, damaged during the great 1906 earthquake. Check out the stone Distillery, Manure Pit and Stallion Barns where London implemented some of his innovative farming practices, as well as the circular Pig Palace, smokehouse and old silos. Throughout the year, events, performances and activities are held at different locations. I recommend comfortable walking shoes. A free shuttle service is available; reservations should be made in advance. There are also self-guided audio tours. People can even bring their horses to ride the trails. Picnic tables are available, or you can take a 5-minute drive down to Glen Ellen to dine. In today’s overly hurried world, a visit to Jack London’s ranch provides a welcome respite, an insight onto a man who shaped the literary world, and who inspired me to become a writer. ■ 61

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ob McCune is a goal setter. On April 18 the Escalon man will stand among a sea of 30,000 people just like himself — goal setters. Some 24,000 of those 30,000 will have made their way there the same way he did; they ran fast enough. The third Monday each April, celebrated as Patriots’ Day, marks the 120th Boston Marathon and McCune will toe the line of the coveted race as he watches a goal come to fruition. Running the prestigious race was not always on the radar for the relatively new distance runner. Following the encouragement of a friend, McCune ran his first full marathon in the summer of 2013 in San Francisco. “He was looking at the times and he said, I think you could qualify for Boston,” McCune said of his friend and the training leading up to his first run at the 26.2 mile distance. “He said based on your age and what we’re running. So I said okay, let’s try it.” But trying brought its own set of challenges. “It wasn’t very smart,” McCune said, chuckling, acknowledging the city’s terrain as less than ideal for a fast marathon time. “There were a couple more hills and everything else and I actually missed the qualifying time (for Boston) by like a minute and 20 seconds, but I was spent.” Three weeks later McCune went back at the goal and registered for California International Marathon 2013 that December. A race which earned him the original qualifying time he was chasing, yet the Boston Athletic Association had increased the times based on event popularity and the number of qualifiers that previous year.

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“I missed it by like 28 seconds,” he said. “So I BQ’d (Boston Qualified), but I still missed it. So then, I was like… okay…I’m going to get this thing.” In 2014 McCune returned to CIM and did exactly that, but with a twist. As fate would have it, his birthday would place him in a higher age group (known as ‘aging up’) from the previous two races. A cushion typically welcomed by a runner chasing the Boston dream, but not McCune. “I wanted to still qualify at the younger age group,” he said of his goal. “That was the thing. I set my time for this goal; I’m not going to fold for the older age group. So I actually qualified for the younger age group, which was almost nine minutes (faster than) for the older age group.” McCune qualified for Boston in the 50-54 age group with a full Marathon time of 3:21:34. In September of 2015 he was able to click the ‘register’ button and received his acceptance into the 2016 event. “I think I can get to a 3:11,” the runner stated, sharing that the belief comes through a 24-week strategic training plan filled with five days of running followed by three days of weights. “But, then you start to read everything about Boston and you see that’s probably stupid. I think I can BQ at Boston, that’s goal number one. I think I can run somewhere between a 7:30 and a 7:40 pace.”

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By TERESA HAMMOND Running the Boston Marathon is not about the prestige, notoriety or bragging rights for the Valley local. He shared it’s about setting and achieving a goal. “Not a lot of people get the opportunity to do that. I’m very, very fortunate in that regard and to also be supported by the family,” he stated. The majority of McCune’s training has been in the early morning hours long before his family is awake. A sort of ‘mantra’ he shared, as he worked at making his personal goal have little impact on family life. A ‘mantra’ which is noteworthy and impressive when one considers a typical training week holds 40 to 50 miles of running, with one of the five days consisting of a long run (15 to 22 miles at once). “I like to check the box,” he said. “I like to say I challenged myself to do this and I checked the box to say I did it.” The opportunity to take to the streets of the oldest US marathon and represent the city of Escalon is not lost on McCune. As he reflected on the endless miles he’s run solo through the small farming community and the support he’s received from so many, his gratitude and emotion becomes apparent. “Escalon’s a great community,” he said. “It’s neat that people appreciate that someone from Escalon is going to go run it. I really, really enjoy everyone being supportive. “You know it’s a neat thing when you run down the chute and they say, Bob McCune, Escalon,” he stated proudly. Hearing it in Boston will only add to the accomplishment. “I’m looking forward to crossing the line,” McCune said of the Boston Marathon. “When we started training, I said I’m going to train for Boston, and then they had the bombing. I still remember coming up and we were running San Francisco (Marathon) and there were fire trucks and police cars and bomb dogs and I thought ‘those damn terrorists.’ That really bothered me.” McCune noted the popularity the race gained after the 2013 bombings and its elusiveness as he prepares to take it all in and ‘check the box.’ A goal set before the tragedy of 2013 that now has the finish line in sight. McCune will travel to Boston with his wife Lisa and their two children, Shelby and Wyatt. “I’m probably worried more about my family being there than

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anything else,” he said. “We’ll go Saturday and do the number pick-up and everything. Maybe see a Red Sox game on Sunday and then Monday I go run.” Finally getting to run will help put it all in perspective. “I’m going to finish Boston,” he said, “and I don’t think I can be disappointed with what the result is, because I’ve done all of the things I need to do to be prepared. I didn’t leave anything to chance with the training.” The preparation has been both mental and physical. “I’ve challenged myself with the training. I hadn’t really recognized what this meant (qualifying for Boston) until I started reading about it and what people go through to get there,” McCune summarized. “So you know at 5:03 in the morning when it’s cold out and its windy and you have a head lamp on and a flasher on and you’re the only one out there … You start to think about things and those things make you get to 5:04. People get kind of excited about you doing it and while that’s not what it’s about, it’s nice to know you have people behind you.” ■

APRIL/MAY 2016

3/28/2016 7:00:17 PM

bookreview

Love, fiction and life

in the Central Valley with Author Paku Her By MELISSA HUTSELL

aku Her is a self-described hopeless romantic with a lust for tragedy. Her debut novel, “The Reasoning of Luke,” and other works focus on the fictional storylines of young adults who struggle with suicide, cancer, prostitution, and most of all, love. We spoke with Paku to discuss her self-published novel, and life as a writer in the Central Valley.

Q A

Why/How did you become a writer?

I’ve always had a lot of things going on in my head, whether it is a design idea, a theory I had or more strangely, rehearsed dialogues. Yet, I did not always want to become a writer. As a matter of fact, I hated reading and

writing as a child. I failed my English placement test twice and was placed in remedial English as a freshman in college. It was then that I actually learned how to write and read properly. I was an avid reader for about two years before I started noticing that the characters in these books were not having the conversations I wanted to read, so I started actively writing my own stories.

Q A

How did growing up in the Central Valley influence your work?

I was born and raised in Stockton. This city is so culturally diverse that although I am Asian, I never once had to remind myself that I looked different or that I didn’t fit in. This ultimately enhanced my belief that I could be anything I wanted to be and my gender or ethnicity would not hold me back from dreaming or achieving any of it.

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I was an avid reader for about two years before I started noticing that the characters in these books were not having the conversations I wanted to read, so I started actively writing my own stories.

Q A

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from all sorts of places. Whether it is a conversation I just had with someone, a book I read, a song I listened to, an encounter I witnessed or trends on social media. It is usually something that sparks an emotion in me and I have just got to let it out.

How did you begin the process of self-publishing your own novel?

I started writing my debut novel, “The Reasoning of Luke,” because of an inspiration I got from listening to a song. I remember having the urge to just translate that song into a story right after listening to it. Before I knew it, I had written

several chapters. At the time, publishing this book had not crossed my mind because I had been working on another. However, I knew I wanted feedback, so I sent chapters to my sister. We would end up having very in depth conversations about the characters or scenes as if they were real people. With that said, I just knew I had to share Luke and Lyla’s story with the world. I made the final decision to selfpublish through Amazon - I just could not wait to share it with everyone. I took on the task of self-editing my entire book, cover design, and the whole sha-bang. It was definitely a struggle - but it was all worth it. I cannot wait to share what’s next to come on my writing adventure. 209MAGAZINE

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Do you have any advice for aspiring writers in the region?

As Alfredo Cabrera, award winning fashion designer and illustrator, once said, “For what is creativity if it isn’t to take something existing in one’s head and give it relevance in the real world?” Give your work relevance because no one else will. For more information about Paku and her work, visit: PakuHer.com PakuHer’s debut novel, “The Reasoning of Luke,” is available at amazon.com in eBook or paperback form. The sequel, “The Understanding of Lyla,” will be released soon. ■

APRIL/MAY 2016

3/28/2016 6:59:25 PM

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3/28/2016 6:09:00 PM

charitycorner

SHARING one pound atHEALTH a time By TERESA HAMMOND

ne simple quote has spiraled into motivation and seemingly a mission statement for Sara Sperry. The quote made famous by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” has proven to be the launching point for Sperry’s efforts with FARM to KIDS. Sperry shared that they first began the philanthropy based organization in October 2015. Sperry Farms, a fifth generation family run almond grower, owns and operates approximately 1,000 acres of planted almond trees. FARM to KIDS was founded by the fifth generation of almond farmers. “Giving is in my nature. It needs to be something that we’re giving back,” Sperry said. “My husband is the one that came up with the idea. I can’t take credit.” The ‘giving back’ comes in the way of a pound for pound match program. Every pound of almonds sold through the FARM to KIDS website (farmtokids.org), is then matched by a one pound almond donation to kids in need. Just months since its first ‘match,’ Sperry shared that over 250 pounds of almonds have been donated. “I’m excited,” Sperry said of the seed planted by her husband, yet grown through her efforts. “I’m very excited by the momentum and the reception. It’s exciting but it’s also telling of where consumers want to spend their dollars. As humans we want to be connected to community.” Donations are made in 25 pound increments. To date a variety of schools as well as programs have benefitted from the generosity of customer orders including CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Stanislaus County and THRIVE (Transforming Habits Respecting Individuality Valuing Education), a Stanislaus County After School Program. Sperry finds the biggest reward in making the deliveries. “My favorite days are the days when I get to do a donation,” she shared. “The kids ... the excitement that they have, you’d think I was giving them cash.” As an outdoor enthusiast and a mom on the go, Sperry also recognizes the unique opportunity she is offering the students in the way of ‘clean fuel’ as she calls the healthy snack. Sperry and her husband share a love of the outdoors. They are avid adventure seekers and almonds are always in tow when they set out for some fun. Many of their adventures are documented and shared via the FARM TO KIDS Instagram account, which she noted as a great source for broadening their audience. “Even these kids are reacting to the Instagram posts,” she said. “It’s

inspiring them to get outside and share their photos with ‘clean fuel.’ I’m just trying to lead by example; to inspire kids to be healthy and inspire them to get outside.” Recognizing the opportunity to teach children the lesson of giving as well as have them be recipients, the philanthropist tested a Classroom Challenge utilizing the classroom of a friend who happened to be a teacher. Parents and family members were encouraged to visit the website and purchase almonds toward the 25 pound goal. Once the goal was reached, a 25 pound box holding the treasured treat was delivered to the classroom by Sperry. “The classroom challenge is in California only,” she said, “since I personally deliver them. Shipping would be too expensive.” Not one to turn down opportunity, however, Sperry added if an out of state classroom took interest and chose to cover the shipping cost she would be more than happy to consider that. “This is not just our philanthropy,” Sperry said of FARM to KIDS, “it’s our contribution. We’re not in this to make money; we’re in this to share health.”

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Be the change you wish to see in the world.

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FARM to KIDS is not operated as a 501 c3 non-profit. Sperry noted TOMS shoe company and their giving business model, as an example of a company which is making positive change sans the 501 c3 status. Sperry operates FARM to KIDS in Oakdale. While there is not a traditional storefront, the location offers on-line customers the opportunity to bypass shipping and pick up their order within two to three days of placing their order. “I feel the movement is going more toward the giving and supporting those companies,” Sperry said. “We’re just a small drop in the bucket, but people need to see this positive change.” To contact Sperry e-mail her at farmtokids@gmail.com or visit the website www.farmtokids.org. ■

APRIL/MAY 2016

3/28/2016 6:58:20 PM

lookback

It’s a town on the scale of a village and it has had roughly the same footprint since the Gold Rush PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIDDLETOWN PRESERVATION SOCIETY

—Alice Kaiser

By MARG JACKSON

ike many communities that formed as part of the famed California Gold Rush, Fiddletown had its heyday over 165 years ago. But it remains a viable community still today and, according to Alice Kaiser, president of the Fiddletown Preservation Society, there are plenty of reasons to take a step back in time and visit the Amador County location. “It’s a town on the scale of a village and it has had roughly the same footprint since the Gold Rush,” Kaiser explained. “There were thousands of men crawling over the hills looking for gold, then it settled down to be more of an agricultural area.” A blacksmith shop, three to four markets, a gambling hall and more dotted the community in the midto late-1800s and the region also had a large Chinese population. The bustling community brought about by the search for gold thrived as a ‘service center’ of sorts for gold mining camps and then made the switch to agricultural interests once the gold dust settled.

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A former Chinese herb store now houses the Fiddletown Preservation Society’s museum and features artifacts from the earliest days of the Amador County community.

Once home to a thriving Chinese population, a gambling hall is among the structures still standing from the mid-1800’s founding of Fiddletown.

Roughly 20 miles from the Shenandoah Valley, Fiddletown now also boasts several wineries, with grapes and wine among the county’s most prolific products. Today, visitors can learn about the storied history of Fiddletown by stopping at the Fiddletown Museum, which is open Saturday afternoons, noon to 4 p.m. from April through October. “The house I grew up in was built in the 1800s,” added Kaiser. “My mother and my grandparents were founding members of the Fiddletown Preservation Society, among many others.” The society has received some state grants in their efforts to preserve some of the town’s historic buildings, such as the one-room schoolhouse and brick buildings that were in severe disrepair. A stroll along the streets now will offer visitors a glimpse into the past, with a handful of the 1850’s era buildings still standing, including a Chinese gambling hall, a general store and more. At its height, about half of the town’s population was Chinese and the museum itself is in the former Chew Kee Chinese herb store. Though officially a ‘Census Designated Place’ or CDP as opposed to a town, Kaiser said Fiddletown is registered as a California Historic Landmark and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 2010 census, its population was listed at 235 residents and Fiddletown is at 1,683 ft. elevation.

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Local historian Elaine Zorbas has published a couple of books about the community, including ‘Fiddletown From Gold Rush to Rediscovery’ and ‘Banished and Embraced: The Chinese in Fiddletown and the Mother Lode’ that offer a glimpse into the history and uniqueness of the region. “We’re about an hour from either Stockton or Sacramento,” Kaiser said. “The Post Office serves about 200 houses in town, 300 more in the surrounding area. We have a volunteer library, a Community Club, Jackson is the county seat and Sutter Creek nearby is the most picturesque.” There wasn’t as much gold in Fiddletown as in some surrounding areas but the community still holds a place in history. Even its name bears reference to that. “The first white settlers to come here were from Missouri and the story goes they brought their fiddles with them,” Kaiser said. “They fiddled when it got too hot or the creek got too dry to look for gold.” Fiddletown is also home to a ‘Fiddler’s Jam’ each fall, which brings huge crowds to the Amador County community. “That’s the only time the main road is closed off to traffic,” Kaiser said of the festival. “Vendors set up, there’s lots of music, it is a really delightful, unpretentious event that’s a lot of fun.” The community of Fiddletown lies along the Fiddletown Silver Lake Road and is six miles east of Highway 49 from Plymouth. ■

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3/28/2016 6:09:10 PM

fulloflife

CHASING DREAMS ONE GOAL AT A TIME By TERESA HAMMOND

I Some races we come away from ready for the Wheaties box, while others send us second guessing everything we have ever believed — so we do it again.

’m a marathoner. When I use the word ‘marathoner’ I’m not referring to the ever-popular length of time spent with Netflix, the “Walking Dead” or “Orange is the New Black.” I’m a marathoner in the traditional crazy sense of completing a 26.2 mile running race. Yes, those people you catch on television every now and again, appearing to be in agony as they run, yet later sharing their feelings of excitement and joy for completing the distance. Yep. That’s me. This fall marks three years since I completed my first full marathon in 2013. The months leading up to, as well as the ones that followed, were all about running, training, eating and the marathon. I talk little about the marathon now, but as I prepare to write a story on Boston Marathon qualifier Bob McCune it seems timely to share a bit of my personal experience. Truthfully I was excited when our editor approved sharing a local Boston qualifier

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story with our readers. Boston is the Olympics of all races for the recreational full marathon runner. Unlike other races, you can’t just sign-up to run Boston, you must qualify. As if it weren’t enough that this breed of people pay money to run through public city streets, there’s an even crazier group of us that dream of someday qualifying for Boston. A dream which can be a daunting one as qualifying times are tough and even then you’re not assured of getting in due to space and interest. Interest, which has massively grown since the bombings of 2013. I ran my first race, a 5k, five years ago in 2011. As hard as it is to believe now, with dozens of races under my belt, including a Big Sur 21 miler and three full marathons, I trained for that 5k. I was not a runner prior to registering for that event. I was scared and had little confidence in my ability. To make matters more stressful, my children would be waiting at the finish line. Fast forward two years and

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Mile 20 of her first Full Marathon in 2013: Teresa Hammond stops to hug and kiss her six-year-old daughter on the sidelines.

my love of running had grown. In fall 2012 a friend breathed life into the notion of running a marathon. The words shared as I completed a half marathon I still remember, “You can build the endurance, you can train. It’s the mental game of the 26.2 that is hard. You have that. You can do this.” What I did not realize at the time or even the day that I learned I had been granted a spot in the 2013 Nike Women’s Marathon San Francisco was what the word ‘train’ would come to mean. It would mean that during the course of 16 plus weeks I would log a total of 450 plus miles on my legs (and in my head) to prepare. It would mean early hours of running alone in darkness and sometimes in rain to get my training in. You can’t fake a 26.2 mile run. The body is

not built to sustain such distance without preparation. I had to learn proper hydration, fuel and pushing through mental and physical pain. What shoes, socks and everything else would serve me best during the seemingly endless miles of the race. I was not out to just finish. My kids would be at that finish line just as they were my first race. I intended to finish smiling and — I did. It is reported that less than 1 percent of Americans have completed a marathon. As a once sedentary, mother of two who came back to the ‘fit life’ game long past my prime years, I can honestly say it’s a daunting statistic. So why the marathon? What prompts us to continue or to even start? No two reasons are the same. It’s a personal journey, often shared

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by veterans guiding you and friends sharing in the dream. For me it’s a two word answer — I can. Lots of people run, not very many run the marathon. Even now, at the age of 40 plus I can still set a goal, look it in the eye and own every last minute of it. Some races we come away from ready for the Wheaties box, while others send us second guessing everything we have ever believed — so we do it again. And ultimately as each training program is filed away and life returns to the ‘usual’ I walk a little taller, give thanks for the body that got me there and then I look to what’s next. Life, after all, is about the journey. It’s a never ending chapter book and we possess the power to make those chapters memorable or just like the others. ■

APRIL/MAY 2016

3/28/2016 6:56:07 PM

fulloflife

By KATHRYN CASEY

always believed in taking on challenges. Nothing seemed too difficult. It was exciting. After a year of missionary work, a year and a half at the local university, I decided to transfer across country, transforming my relationship to a long-term relationship and embrace the frigid temperatures of Minnesota. It was my first time living away from home. I took on more classes, worked as many hours as possible and struggled to make it work with my boyfriend. Challenges that were once thrilling began to morph into something I could not manage. I didn’t choose that emotion, that crippling, overwhelming, clouding emotion of stress and anxiety. Walking through the living room, seeing pillows out of place, the emotion happened to me. Thomas Aquinas, medieval philosopher and theologian, refers to emotions as passions. They can happen before we’ve had a chance to think. Why that combination of event and passion occur have to do with our personal beliefs and decisions we must make. According to cognitive psychology, our beliefs are a framework, a lens through which we see the world. While they might not make sense intellectually, through the lens, emotions can begin to make sense. Why the pillows? I sought order. I sought control as I felt I was spinning out of control with an overloaded schedule and an uncertain future. Stress and anxiety, which are related to fear, have to do with the future. They come from a fear that something will be difficult or impossible to overcome. And yet, there is hope. If I had no hope at that time, I would have fallen into despair or depression. Thus fear/anxiety/stress can be beneficial. These passions push us forward to either learn caution or take action. I had to learn to manage these emotions. I had to learn my limitations in time management. I had to prioritize certain uncomfortable conversations in my relationship in order to move us to a healthier place. But why does it have to hurt so much? With anxiety comes the racing heart, the pounding chest, the shortness of breath. Blood rushes from the heart to the 209MAGAZINE

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extremities. It’s like being ready to attack something or to run away. By pure instinct, our ancestors were able to respond to external threats without needing to take the time to process the situation mentally. We experience this fight or flight response, but with totally different “threats.” Unable to respond physically, our reaction turns to anxiety. Those threats are related to fear. Our fear can transfer from the thing at the heart of the fear, the primary emotion, to some other object or person involved. If I fear loss of safety, I become afraid of the aggressor. If I fear loss of love (rejection), I may fear confronting my partner. Sometimes we’re afraid because the thing we fear seems so much bigger than us. Its magnitude implies its power. It implies we have less control. Ask yourself, how much control do I have in this situation? Confronting the primary emotion can alleviate the anxiety involved by giving us the power to plan and possibly face the fear. As we gain control or can plan, hope of overcoming the difficulty increases. Thus the anxiety can become something more helpful. This process takes time and reflection. I might be a natural at this sort of meta-cognition (thinking about thinking) but it’s incredibly common to need a little outside help, someone with a clearer lens to help figure out what the primary emotion or fear is. I experienced anxiety like never before. My first step was to go to the doctor. It’s possible to have hormonal imbalances that create the physical feelings of anxiety. If that were the case, medication to treat the hormonal imbalance would be the answer. When the blood tests came back clear, I sought out a therapist. He taught me to ask myself, “what is the worst that could happen?” This question worked for me. I was afraid of failure, of everything falling apart. This question targeted the cognitive or thinking side of the anxiety for me, going after the lens through which I saw a situation. Life coaches, mentors, and people of wisdom in your life can help in a similar way, depending on the severity of what you’re experiencing. Meditation and gratitude exercises are APRIL/MAY 2016

3/28/2016 6:55:16 PM

other ways to target the thoughts behind anxiety. From a professor of psychology I learned relaxation techniques: deep breathing and progressive relaxation. To engage in deep breathing inhale deeply through the nose, counting slowly, holding for a moment, and then exhaling slowly through the mouth. This method resets the fight or flight response by slowing the heart rate, blood flow and taking control of speed of one’s breathing. It goes after the physical side of anxiety. Progressive relaxation, exercise, and yoga are other ways to regain control in this area. The experience of fear and stress is part of being human. To learn to manage it, to make it work for you rather than overwhelm you, will take time and some times outside help. But there is way out. There is hope. Kathryn Casey operates The Good Life – Life Coaching, in Hughson. For more information, check out Coachingthegoodlife.org. For comments or questions, email her at kcasey@coachingthegoodlife.org. ■

The experience of fear and stress is part of being human. To learn to manage it, to make it work for you rather than overwhelm you, will take time and sometimes outside help.

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APRIL/MAY 2016

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3/28/2016 6:57:18 PM

placecalledhome

Bring the serenity of

KOI to your back yard 209MAGAZINE

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3/28/2016 6:53:52 PM

I spend 80 percent of my waking hours in the summertime here.

By DOANE YAWGER

im Medeiros likes being semi-retired but also relishes a thriving business selling koi, pool supplies and other small animals on his 20-acre Crows Landing farm property. Medeiros considers the 18 ponds of his Central Valley Koi Farm a “pretty good little sanctuary” and he’s more than content to spend seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. selling the colorful fish formally known as Japanese ornamental carp. “I spend 80 percent of my waking hours in the summertime here,” Medeiros said. “I have always lived in the country. I sit by the ponds. The sound of running water and the serenity of the fish swimming around ‘soothes the savage beast.’ It’s like going to beach and hearing the waves crash in.” Medeiros says he gave up on being rich but wanted something to do without having to work hard. Running a koi farm fits the bill and he says he actually still enjoys it. The 65-year-old former Foster Farms chicken department supervisor, educational consultant and ex-Hilmar Junior High School football coach bought the West Main Street property in 1971 and moved there more than 11 years ago. He sells several thousand koi a year exclusively to hobbyists generally living between Sacramento and Fresno, not retail stores. Medeiros first saw koi when he visited Disneyland years ago. Koi are easy to care for, Medeiros said, and hobbyists mostly need a pond with circulating aerated water. The fish don’t need special treatment and

tolerate both warm and cold weather climates. Medeiros said koi are docile, slow-moving fish. They are one of the most friendly of fish types; they know when he is ready to feed them and are used to his cigarette smoke and cup of coffee. When they smell those scents, they gather in the corner of their pond, knowing feeding time is near. Koi run the gamut in girth, from tiny, slender ones to those more on the chubby side. Turlock landscape contractor Victor Phillips has known Medeiros for about 15 years and said Central Valley Koi is a “nice little operation.” Phillips said Medeiros enjoys what he is doing. “He loves telling stories,” Phillips said. “He has always got a story He’s a good old guy.” Phillips has seven koi in a 1,500-gallon pond and said to him they are like floating jewels. He buys liners, koi food, tubing, pumps, filters and other equipment from Medeiros. A chainsaw carver, Phillips fashions tiki statues which are on sale at the koi farm. Medeiros said he “just likes people and animals.” His range of products has slowly grown as people gave him some zebra finches, and canaries, diamond doves, parakeets, and button quail joined the mix. He bought his granddaughter two guinea pigs. Three months later there were five guinea pigs and pretty soon the numbers jumped to 10 and then 20, Medeiros said. “It’s not a lot of work but it is a lot of fun and games,” Medeiros said. Koi range from about three 209MAGAZINE

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—Jim Medeiros

inches in length to 16 inches. Their colors run the gamut from pure yellow to white, red, white and blue, black, pale yellow, orange, black and orange and silver, Medeiros said. The koi farm is located at 520 W. Main St. in Crows Landing. ■ — Doane Yawger of Merced is a semiretired newspaper editor and reporter.

APRIL/MAY 2016

3/28/2016 6:54:08 PM

placecalledhome

By ALYSSON AREDAS

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“We encourage home citrus growers and farmers to go out with a magnifying glass or hand lens and look closely at the new growth.” — Beth Grafton-Cardwell

hile quarantine efforts seem to be working locally to prevent the spread of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, a bug known to host an incurable citrus disease, University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources Department is urging growers to remain vigilant in examining their citrus trees for the tiny invasive insect. “We encourage home citrus growers and farmers to go out with a magnifying glass or hand lens and look closely at the new growth,” said Beth GraftonCardwell, UC ANR citrus entomologist. “Look for the various stages of the psyllid – small yellow eggs, sesame-seed sized yellow ACP young with curly white tubules, or aphid-like adults that perch with their hind quarters angled up.” Asian citrus psyllids are feared because they can spread huanglongbing (HLB) disease, an incurable condition that first causes yellow mottling on the leaves and later sour, misshapen fruit before killing the tree. ACP, native of Pakistan, Afghanistan and other tropical and subtropics regions of Asian, was first detected in California in 2008. Everywhere Asian Citrus Psyllids have appeared – including Florida and Texas – the pests have spread the disease. A few HLB-infected trees have been located in urban Los Angeles County. They were quickly removed by California Department of Food and Agriculture officials. “In California, we are working hard to keep the population of ACP as low as possible until researchers can find a cure for the disease,” said Grafton-Cardwell. “We need the help of citrus farmers and home gardeners.” Grafton-Cardwell has spearheaded the development of the UC ANR ACP website for citrus growers and citrus homeowners that provides help in finding the pest and what to do next. The site has an interactive map tool to locate residences and farms that are in areas where the psyllid has already become established, and areas where they are posing a risk to the citrus industry and must be aggressively treated by county officials. 209MAGAZINE

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The website outlines biological control efforts that are underway, and directions for insecticidal control, if it is needed. An online calculator on the website allows farmers and homeowners to determine their potential costs for using insecticides. A total of three Asian Citrus Psyllids have been detected in Stanislaus County since October of last year, and while these insects are known to carry HLB, Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Milton O’Haire wanted to make it clear to citrus growers that none of the insects found in Stanislaus County were carrying the citrus greening disease. “The psyllid is a vector of the disease and we don’t have it here yet. Hopefully we never do,” said O’Haire. “Even though we don’t have a lot of commercial citrus here—less than 300 acres—we have tens of thousands of acres of residential citrus that would be in jeopardy.” O’Haire was happy to report that after applying additional traps in both quarantine areas, with over 300 traps in the Turlock quarantine alone, and checking them regularly, they have not picked up any new psyllids. “If we don’t find anything for two straight years, then the quarantine could be lifted, although what we heard from the USDA is that the additional traps will stay out and we’ll still be looking just in case,” said O’Haire. Under quarantine, growers are prohibited from moving citrus and curry leaf tree nursery stock, including all plant parts except fruit, out of the quarantine area. They are also required to clean all citrus fruit of leaves and stems prior to moving out of the quarantine area. Residents with backyard citrus trees in the quarantine area are asked not to transport or send citrus fruit or leaves, potted citrus trees, or curry leaves now from the quarantine area. Pictures of the Asian Citrus Psyllids and its life stages are on the UC ANR website at ucanr.edu/acp. If anyone finds signs of the insect, they should call the California Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Exotic Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899. ■ APRIL/MAY 2016

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FIVE TIPS

placecalledhome

A great harvest doesn’t happen overnight, but fruit trees are one of the most rewarding plants a gardener can grow. – Jeff Dinslage

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FIVE TIPS

here may be nothing quite as satisfying as plucking a fresh, ripe piece of fruit from your own backyard tree. Fruiting trees such as apple, pear, peach, citrus and others are among the most versatile and productive plants in the garden, capable of producing fruit for decades. Fruit trees benefit from proper planting, routine care and optimum growing conditions. For maximum yield year after year, follow these five tips for fruit tree success:

Do your research first Fruit trees are extremely diverse, and you can always find several types that thrive in your area. Take your garden’s climate, space, soil and sun exposure into account, and select a fruit tree that suits your needs. “Don’t forget to consider self-pollinating versus cross-pollinating varieties,” said tree expert Jeff Dinslage, president of NatureHills.com, America’s largest online nursery. “If you buy a single fruit tree that needs cross-pollination, all you’ll ever get are flowers.” So if you only have room for one fruit tree, consider a self-pollinating variety such as the Fuji Apple or ‘Flavortop’ Nectarine.

Give young fruit trees plenty of TLC

The day you bring your tree home and plant it in your garden is the most critical time in the tree’s life, and it’s important to provide proper care until it becomes fully established. “Proper care from the start is really important,” said Dinslage. “The care you give your tree during its first few years will affect its shape, strength, yield, and even lifespan.” To give your tree the best possible start, keep it well-watered, and offer extra protection from pests and inclement weather.

Prune correctly

Proper pruning is a must for a productive, happy fruit tree. Pruning your trees can give their leaves better access to light, keep messy growth to a minimum, and help them set bigger, juicier fruit. Remove dead wood, and thin out branches that cross each other. Every species of tree is different, so read up on when and how to prune your tree for best results.

Mulch and fertilize (but don’t overdo it)

Like pruning, mulching and feeding your fruit trees will keep them healthy and productive. Mulch your trees after planting and every spring and fall thereafter, taking care to leave room right around the base of the trunk. (Mulch piled high around the base of the tree can lead to rot). Feed your trees with a high-quality fertilizer throughout the growing season to encourage strong roots, a lush canopy and an abundant harvest.

Keep an eye out for problems, and act quickly

Like all plants, fruit trees can be susceptible to blight, insects and other common problems. Keep one step ahead of disease and pests by preventing them in the first place and acting quickly to identify and treat anything that’s causing trouble. Research your fruit tree type and variety, and contact your local extension office for information on the most common pests and diseases to watch out for.

Growing fruit trees for that first homegrown harvest does take a little patience, but expert gardeners insist that they’re worth the initial effort. “A great harvest doesn’t happen overnight,” said Dinslage, “but fruit trees are one of the most rewarding plants a gardener can grow.” For more information about fruit tree care and the wide variety of fruit trees available for growing in the US, visit www.NatureHills.com. ■ 209MAGAZINE

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s life gets busier, a bedroom becomes more than a sleeping space — it’s an escape to a calmer, more serene world that rests the mind as well as the body. To create your own in-house getaway, use these easy tips to “calm-ify” your bedroom and transform it into a more beautiful and restful retreat. Sink into some silence. Create white noise to block out sounds that disturb the solitude. Install a stylish ceiling fan with gently whirring blades to give the room a languid, tropical ambiance that will help you relax. Paint the room green. Studies show green has a calming effect when used as a main color for decorating. A recent homeowner study conducted by Sherwin-Williams found that more than 60 percent of homeowners would consider adding shades of green into their home, with more than half saying they would use it to paint an entire room. “The color green is symbolic of balance, nature, spring and rebirth,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Because it has such positive connections in the mind, I especially like to see Gallery Green (SW 0015) used in spaces seeking balance and harmony, such as bedrooms.” Add fresh houseplants. Living things, like

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leafy or flowering plants, make a bedroom feel more down to earth. Visit your local garden center and purchase a variety of houseplants, large or small, to freshen the air. Fluff up your bedding. Give your bed a fresh new look and feel. Buy yourself some soft, cool white sheets. Add a featherlike, comfortable bedspread or quilt, and top it with multiple pillows of all shapes and sizes for a well-rested night’s sleep. Lower the lighting. Adjusting the lighting can completely alter the atmosphere in a bedroom. Install a light dimmer or add a programmable timer that turns lights off and on automatically, to help lull you to sleep, yet brighten the room when it’s time to get up. Treat yourself to new window treatments. Add to the easy-breezy feel of the room by purchasing fresh, flowing curtains or sleek new blinds that can be easily adjusted to block out the daylight. Simplify for serenity’s sake. Eliminate clutter to keep it out of sight — and out of mind. Add cabinetry with built-in organization features like drawer inserts. Add more shelving in the closet. Use baskets and pottery to keep small items contained. Having everything in its place will help you feel free to relax in your beautiful new bedroom. ■

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marketplace

New dealership

Price Ford of Turlock celebrated their Grand Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 22. Owners James Figurell and David Price have tripled the inventory after buying the former Patchett’s Ford dealership when Brian Garcia retired in June 2015.

driven by community By NATALIE WINTERS

School on April 9 at the Stanislaus State campus. “We’re pretty excited about getting involved in the community,” said Figurell. “The Drive One for Your School event is anticipated to raise about $6,000 for the Turlock High Bulldogs Aquatic Boosters toward an awning over their pool bleachers.” Price Ford looks forward to continuing its primary mission of doing good business, as well as executing on its promise of contributing to worthwhile community projects. As a family-owned operation, the Price Ford team is committed to genuine customer satisfaction by providing premium service for their customers. “We intend on trying to make the purchase experience clear cut and as transparent as possible,” said Figurell. “It’s our goal to be the premier dealership in the Central Valley.” Price Ford is located at 5200 N. Golden State Blvd., in Turlock. It is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, call 669-5200. ■

lthough Turlock’s Ford dealership officially changed owners in June 2015, Price Ford officially celebrated its Grand Opening on Jan. 22 with members of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, key executives from Ford Motor Company’s San Francisco Region, as well as other distinguished business leaders from the Turlock, Modesto and Stanislaus County area. Owners James Figurell and David Price said they are proud to have become a part of the fabric of the local community in California’s Central Valley. “My partner and I have known each other for years and we bought the store because of the community,” said owner James Figurell. Formerly known as Patchett’s Ford, Figurell and Price took over June 2, 2015, following the retirement of Brian Garcia. Price Ford has made some big changes to the dealership, including tripling their inventory. The ownership, management and staff anticipate a very bright future ahead as they continue to immerse themselves in the Turlock and neighboring communities with events such as the Drive One for Your School, a fundraising effort on behalf of Turlock High

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marketplace

Pageo Farms I

f someone were to ask George, Patty and Josh Kapor what they do for a living, the answer would definitely not be a conventional job. The Kapors run Pageo Farms near Turlock. It produces lavender, lunches and a bumper crop of weddings. Pageo Farms, a combination of the proprietors’ first names, grows sweet-smelling lavender on an acre and a half of the Golf Link Road property and is the site for about 40 weddings a year. “It’s an interesting occupation that keeps evolving,” George Kapor says. “It’s a lot of physical work but we feel very blessed to have this. I can’t think of anything I would rather do, to have a business with my wife, family and friends.” Lavender blooms should be emerging soon and will be harvested in late May and early June. The Kapors have ambitious plans to plant a number of herbs, including basil, oregano, dill, sage and mint on part of their 10-acre property. With the help of farm manager Alexandria Riedinger, Pageo Farms started as a wedding center in June 2007 and several hundred couples have held their nuptials at the lush farm complex only a couple of miles from downtown Turlock. George Kapor said the enterprise has been in his wife’s mind for 30 years. They bought the property in 1998 and little by little starting in 2003 they planted about 150 sycamore, cypress, cedar and redwood trees and shrubbery that are showing some maturity now. Eventually, George Kapor said, they will seek a permit to put in a winery. In 2011 they got permits from Merced County for a nursery, on-site market and fruit stand. “Every year it has kind of snowballed,”

grows lavender, love and agri-tourism By DOANE YAWGER

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It’s a lot of physical work but we feel very blessed to have this. I can’t think of anything I would rather do, to have a business with my wife, family and friends. —George Kapor

George Kapor said. “We do everything ourselves. It’s a lot of manual labor, hard physical work. We have a lot of irons in the fire and have hosted a lot of agricultural tourism seminars. It’s an interesting occupation and there is always something going on here.” Pageo Farms’ traditional “lavender lunches” start this spring and run through November. These lunches are held in the mostly outdoor venue from Wednesdays through Saturday. In the past they have held three weddings in a row, but have scaled back the all-day weekend events to one a day. Weddings generally accommodate about 300 people. All of the now-towering trees on the complex are lighted for the weddings which generally start about 4 or 5 p.m. Josh Kapor, who got a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock in 2006, makes all the essential oil lavender soaps and lotions from scratch. These items as well as sachets, linen sprays, room fresheners and candles are sold in the gift shop on the property as well as online and at outdoor farmer’s markets in the area. “It takes four weeks for lavender soap to cure,” Josh Kapor said. “It is good for aromatherapy and is a natural relaxant and stress-reducer. I never thought we would be doing this but every year we get more comfortable doing this. We have shared many memories with people on this property.” 209MAGAZINE

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Josh Kapor said he is honored to be part of the farm’s activities and said the family has made many new friends. George Kapor said they have talked about doing a reality television show based on their experiences. “I am still in awe that people would select us,” George Kapor says. “We customize the events in how we decorate and where we do the (wedding) ceremonies. We hope to put up an event barn and have it done by the end of this year.” Pageo Farms also hosts a numCONTINUED ON PAGE 94 

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marketplace

ber of fund-raising events for area civic and philanthropic organizations. A lavender bush generally yields about 15 bundles of flowers and buds. It takes two plants for every cup of lavender oil, produced through use of a distiller which resembles an oldfashioned copper moonshine still. Josh Kapor said lavender has a distinctive scent once you get to know it. Its sweet, floral scent is relaxing. He makes a peppermint soap which he says “just wakes you up.” George Kapor said there is a three to four-week window to harvest lavender before its purple colors turn

Lavender has a distinctive scent once you get to know it. Its sweet, floral scent is relaxing. —George Kapor brown. The Kapors cut the lavender, bundle it and hang it upside down to dry before it goes to the distiller. Lavender bushes need to be pruned at least once a year. Pageo Farms is located at 11573 Golf Link Road, Turlock, near Clausen Road. Its phone number is (209) 632-5052 and the email address is pageofarms@gmail.com. “The lavender business still amazes me,” George Kapor said. ■ — Doane Yawger of Merced is a semi-retired newspaper editor and reporter. 209MAGAZINE

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APRIL/MAY 2016

—George Kapor

3/28/2016 6:45:01 PM

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW At Oak Valley Community Bank, we take pride in helping our customers and communities get stronger. The most rewarding opportunities are often those which provide local businesses the ability to grow and help our communities thrive.

From left: Drs. Tracy Brockman, Charlie Walker, Heather Clayton-Young, P.A., Nandeesh Veerappa, Jim Shiovitz, Scott Goodreau, and Sasha Bluvshteyn, pictured with Oak Valley’s Peter Brown, Commercial Loan Officer, 209.844.7522, and Ron Davenport, Sales Manager, 209.343.7627

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Questions about your Health Insurance? Medicare, Cover California, Individual Health Plans, Group Insurance…

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