209 Magazine - Issue #54

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FEATURES

209 Magazine is excited to ring in 2023 with you. We have put together a list of local new year events that will hopefully help you start 2023 off with a little cheer. We’ve also asked local experts to offer some tips on making those most-popular new year resolutions a little bit easier to achieve.

Happy New Yar!

PUBLISHER/OWNER

Hank Vander Veen

EDITOR

Kristina Hacker

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

& PHOTOGRAHERS

Jeff Benziger

Christopher Correa Joe Cortez

Teresa Hammond

Marg Jackson

Sarah Lawson

Sabra Stafford Virigina Still Frankie Tovar Dennis Wyatt

ART DIRECTOR

Harold L. George

SALES & MARKETING

Chris Castro

Beth Flanagan

Rich Matheson

Karen Olsen Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber

SPECIAL CONSULTANT

Larry Dovichi

It seems like you blink and another year is gone. Before celebrating 2023, take a minute to appreciate everything our local communities have to o er — from delicious eateries to unique shops and world-renowned natural beauty.

I hope you enjoyed our 209 Holidays edition. If you didn’t get a chance to look at the special magazine issue full of ideas to make your holiday celebrations merry and bright, then send us an email or give us a call and we’ll direct you where to nd a copy or two.

In this issue, we highlight a few inspiring 209 residents, such as the Manteca mother who was able to go from homelessness to owning her own house thanks to HOPE Ministries, and the volunteers who work tirelessly for the Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance. We also feature a Riverbank couple who have golfed their way through every state and a Modesto bakery owner who takes sweet potato pie to the next level.

ank you for taking the time to read 209 Magazine. We welcome your comments, calendar events, and stories. We hope you will support the businesses and charities that have cahosen to partner with us. We appreciate them and look forward to being the most relevant magazine in your home, a place called 209.

Hank Vander Veen Owner/Publisher hvanderveen@209magazine.com

GOLDEN STATE DERMATOLO GY

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Modesto 209.353.9652 Oakdale 209.353.9652 Tracy 209.782.6018 Turlock 209.638.7442 Lodi 209.553.4476 Manteca 209.502.2172

Carter Gomes Make-A-Wish

Carter Gomes, who was diagnosed with leukemia just before his third birthday, was granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His wish was to be a garbageman for a day. Watch as Carter makes his rounds through Turlock, ful lling his wish to the cheers of dozens of supporters.

Santa HQ at Vintage Faire Mall

There are many places to visit Santa in the 209 during the holidays, but Vintage Faire Mall has been a mustvisit destination for more than a decade – and for good reason. Enjoy this episode and see what new features Santa HQ has to o er for children of every age.

bit.ly/209PodcastApple

STUDIO209 is a weekly magazine-style video series lmed in the heart of the Central Valley. Join us every Thursday and enjoy a wide range of coverage from community events to personal pro les and more. ftovar@morrismultimedia.com bit.ly/209PodcastSpotify

Oakdale’s 14th Annual Old Fashion Downtown Christmas

An old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the heart of the cowboy capital of the world. Why wouldn’t you watch this episode of Studio209? Christmas carolers, a 4H petting zoo, local shopping, and Santa on horseback. This event is guaranteed fun for the whole family.

HIRE US TO COVER YOUR EVENT!

Turlock Top Chef Compe��on

Scene in the

There were plenty of activities to get residents and visitors out and about in the 209 in the fall. From fundraisers to Halloween traditions, there was plenty of fun to be found.

Want to have your organization’s event featured in the Scene? Email ssta ord@209magazine.com.

TASTE OF THE VALLEY

The Stanislaus State Agriculture Department and Friends of the Fair Foundation presented the 18th Annual Tastes of the Valley in October. The fundraiser for ag students featured several di erent restaurants o ering up menu tastings and a multitude of selections from area wineries and breweries.

Melissa Yagi, Cynthia Van Vliet and Mikayla Yagi, all of Turlock came to support the university and try the food and wine selections.

Jaz Virk, Kirby Cezar, Jordan Cezar, Herman Virk and Jasvin Virk, all of Turlock enjoyed the various food and beverage options at the annual fundraiser.

FALL FESTIVAL

Indigeny Reserve in Sonora invited people out for a fall festival all through October. Guests could shop the various vendors, enjoy the live entertainment, try some cider, have lunch and pick out the perfect pumpkin.

LIBRARY PRESENTS

The Friends of the Turlock Public Library presented their rst Library Presents in October by bringing best-selling author Jamie Ford to town. Ford is the author of “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” and his latest book, “The Many Daughters of Afong Moy.” Guests had a chance to visit with Ford after his talk and get their books signed

WITCH WALK

The 6th Annual Murphys Witch Walk brought out plenty of ghoulish good times for the costumed crowds in attendance. The crowd was estimated at 6,500 to 7,000 and included plenty of witches and other creatures.

Brittany Sims of Sonora, Cassandra Leeper of Columbia and Michaela Matthews of Columbia were joined by “Billy” from the “Hocus Pocus” lms for a photo.

Lupe Gutierrez, Reynaldo Carrasco. And Alex Carrasco, all made the trek from San Jose to join in on the fun at the Murphys Witch Walk.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CHRISTMAS MARKET

The City of Plymouth is hosting a Christmas Market in downtown from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3.

The Christmas Market will feature locally crafted gifts, live music, food, beer and wine, free horse and buggy rides, crafts for kids and a visit from Santa.

The event will be on Main Street.

STOCKTON SYMPHONY

The Stockton Symphony will perform their “Tis the Season” concert at Atherton Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

Kick off the holiday festivities with “Sleigh Ride,” “Carol of the Bells,” “O Holy Night,” sing-along carols, excerpts from the “Nutcracker,” “Frozen,” and more.

The concert will be conducted by Peter Jaffe and feature guest artist Monica Danilov, a mezzo-soprano.

Tickets range from $25 to $60 and are available at stocktonsymphony.org

All Stockton Symphony Concerts are performed at Warren Atherton Auditorium at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Avenue, Stockton.

TOY DRIVE

The 4th annual Toys 4 Music toy drive to benefit the Lodi Salvation Army will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 8.

The annual event will include four local music acts, a photo booth, food trucks, raffles, wine auctions and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Th event will be at Berghold Vineyards and Winery and is open to those 21 years and older.

Admission is a new toy of at least a $10 value.

For more information call ( 209) 327-9002

TIE-DYE CLASS

Fun Fine Artist will host a tie-dye class in Sonora from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 4.

The class will use shaving cream in the tie-dye creations.

Admission is $25 and reservations should be made in advance.

The class will be held at 14888 Peaceful Valley Road in Sonora.

To reserve a spot or for more information email kymcasner@ gmail.com.

SANTA DASH

A 5k or 10k Santa Dash will be held Dec. 10 at Michael Faklis Park in Stockton.

The race will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to dress as Santa, elves or reindeer. All participants to bring a can of food or a toy for food and toy drive.

After the 5K or 10K, participants can enjoy fake snow, hot cocoa, coffee, gift baskets, exclusive vendors, live music and a fully lit Christmas tree.

Admission to enter the race is $45 and comes with a T-shirt and other items. Kids 13 years and younger can enter the race for free. To enter or for more information email stocktonsantadash@gmail.com or call (209) 298-4280

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, GRINCH

The City of Galt is hosting Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Dec. 17 at the Chabolla Center in Galt.

Santa, the Grinch and elves will be at the breakfast, which will include pancakes, sausages, fruit and juice. There will also be holiday music and arts and crafts.

Tickets are available for purchase in advance for $8 and $10 at the door. Space is limited. Visit www. cityofgalt.org/our-city/specialevents for tickets.

LATKES AND VODKAS

Congregation Beth Shalom in Modesto will host their annual Latkes and Vodka event starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

The event will feature live music from Tongue and Grove, lots of food, including Hanukkah favorites Latkes, which are potato pancakes, special vodka cocktails, wine and more.

Attendees must be 21 years or older. Tickets are $75 and are available at www.eventbrite. com/e/latkes-and-vodkas-2022tickets-425555175987.

COMMUNITY CONCERT

The Lodi Community Concert Association will present Hits and Grins from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 12 at Hutchins Street Square. Hits and Grins are Grammy-nominated

songwriters and a Country Radio Broadcast Hall-of-Famer and perform songs originally penned for country artists like George Strait, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Alabama, and more. Tickets are $29 and are available at bit.ly/LodiConcert

VAUDEVILLE COWBOYS

Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong, the last of the Vaudeville Cowboys, will perform a concert at the Sutter Creek Theatre on Jan. 14.

The show will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The yodeling cowboy songster Sourdough Slim and string instrument wizard Robert Armstrong rekindle the country blues, vintage jazz, cowboy classics and string band repertoire of pre-WWII America.

Tickets are $22 to $25 and are available at www. suttercreektheater.com.

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Christmas in Tuolumne County

By SABRA STAFFORD

Within the 209 region and outside of it, the towns that make up Tuolumne County have a well-deserved reputation for bringing out the Christmas spirit with a bevy of festivities.

From traditional events that celebrate the region’s history, like the Miners’ Christmas in Columbia State Historical Park and the annual Los Posadas Nativity Procession to new activities like the new ice skating rink and a moonlight paint party at Indigeny Reserve, the area has plenty of options to celebrate the season.

COLUMBIA ICE SKATING PARK

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Chicken Ranch Tribal Council, opened the outdoor 70ft x 40ft synthetic ice rink about a half-mile from Columbia Historic State Park. The ice rink will be open through the holidays. Reservations are required. General admission is $12 including skate rental for 90-minutes of skating. Skate Helpers: $5; Helmets: $5. To make reservations visit columbiaiceskatingpark.com.

CHRISTMAS ON THE STAGE

The Sierra Repertory Theatre is getting into the holiday with two Christmas-themed shows taking the stage.

“Elf: The Musical” is showing through Dec. 17. Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-ofwater comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity.

“The Christmas Foundling” also is running through Dec. 17. Inspired by the stories of Bret Harte, “The Christmas Foundling” is a heartwarming holiday tale, with the love of a child at its center and an unlikely romance as its driving force.

For times and tickets to either show visit sierrarep.org.

MINERS’ CHRISTMAS

Experience what Christmas was like during the Gold Rush with the Miners’ Christmas at Columbia State Historic Park.

Stop in and listen to Christmas stories from some of the ole’ timer miners, taste chestnuts roasted over the open fire, and make a variety of oldfashioned crafts. Explore the historic buildings of Columbia adorned with old fashion decorations while sipping hot cider and coffee. You might even catch sight of Father Christmas as he visits the town of Columbia.

The event is set for 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18.

LOS POSADAS

Los Posadas, the Spanish tradition of re-creating the biblical story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, will be enacted at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Columbia State Historic Park with a distinctive 1850s look.

Columbia’s Main Street is decorated for the Christmas season, and luminaries light the way for the procession,

while onlookers hold candles and join in singing Christmas Carols.

WAGON RIDES

Take in the historic scenery in downtown Sonora on the Holly Jolly Wagon sponsored by Visit Tuolumne County. The hop-on, hop-off horse drawn wagon rides are free and are set for Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Rides are between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and start on Washington Street.

EQUESTRIAN PARADE

Sponsored by the Mid Valley Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California, this parade in Columbia Historic State Park is open to horse riders of all ages. The riders and their horses will be decked in festive gear and parade through the park at 11 a.m. Dec. 11. For more information call 209-823-3538.

HOLIDAY MUSIC

St. James Church in Sonora will host a holiday music concert from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. Donations are accepted. The church is located at 42 Snell Street.

PAINT PARTY

Indigeny Reserve is hosting a guided painting party of a wintery scene from 1 p.m. o 3 p.m. Dec. 18. Painting begins immediately and breaks are provided throughout the event. The painting will be under the outside awning with heaters. Tickets are $40. For more information call 209-984-6077. ●

Inspired by the stories of Bret Harte, “The Christmas Foundling” is a heartwarming holiday tale.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Former homeless single mom buys her own home

By DENNIS WYATT

The Yosemite Avenue shelter for families is one of three complexes HOPE Ministries operate. Originally built as Manteca’s rst hospital in 1919, it was used for a number of years as an apartment complex before being repurposed as a family shelter.

Amber Golisano and her 5-yearold son Elliott will be home for Christmas this year.

In their one home.

It is a Christmas miracle story of sorts. It incudes overcoming adversity, perseverance, a lot of HOPE, and the love of a child.

e 38-year-old single parent bought her rst home in August. ree years ago, she was homeless. Golisano had spent four and a half years on the streets.

And then HOPE entered her life — Helping Others & Providing Encouragement (HOPE) Ministries. It is the faithbased Manteca organization launched by a collaboration of local churches that has temporarily housed more than 6,000 people in the last 30 years.

HOPE Ministries last year had a 49 percent success rate when it comes to families leaving one of their three shelters and moving into permanent rental housing. at compares to the countywide success rate of just over 10 percent for other shelters.

Golisano, however, is the rst HOPE client to go from a local shelter into owning her own home.

A series of bad relationships including a manipulative boyfriend who got her hooked-on drugs set the stage for her being homeless over the course of four and a half years. e event that ended her being without shelter was when her boyfriend, who had been cheating on her, put her couch out on the lawn, kicked her out, and took her last $100.

By then her mother had died and her father had not been around for years. She ended up in seedy motels, then sleeping in an abandoned auto dealership and then in

an abandoned dental o ce as well as couch sur ng.

When she got pregnant, more people were willing to let her couch surf. She stayed awhile with a friend and then was able to move in with her grandmother.

Golisano was homeless again a er that when her grandmother passed away.

Relatives took her to San Joaquin County Family Ties where she was able to get o of drugs. A er her treatment Family Ties handed her a reference list of area shelters that included HOPE.

Golisano said she was terri ed when she became homeless.

And while she had a real fear of living on the streets, she had been convinced by those who manipulated her that she deserved the situation she was in.

“I told myself I deserved what had happened to me,” Golisano said.

Her thinking changed when she gave birth to Elliott.

“I had him and it wasn’t about me anymore,” Golisano said.

WHILE SHE HAD A REAL FEAR OF LIVING ON THE STREETS, SHE HAD BEEN CONVINCED BY THOSE WHO MANIPULATED HER THAT SHE DESERVED THE SITUATION SHE WAS IN.

Elliott Golisano, 5, holds the keys to his new home as his mother Amber Golisano, right, and HOPE Ministries Executive Director Cecily Ballungay look on.

Golisano moved into a HOPE Family Shelter apartment on Yosemite Avenue at the time when the Raymus Home on Union Road designed for single moms with kids was closed for remodeling.

She then moved to the Union Road location and ultimately was able to spend nearly two years in one of eight transitional housing units HOPE maintains while saving her money for a down payment.

Golisano said it wouldn’t have been possible without HOPE.

And HOPE Ministries Executive Director Cecily Ballungay said it wouldn’t have been possible if Golisano wasn’t driven.

Golisano was willing to do what it would take to provide for her son.

When she rst arrived at HOPE Shelters, she literally would walk several miles to take her son to a babysitter. en she would walk several miles more to a work experience site and then walk back to retrieve her son and return to the shelter.

Work experience led to her rst job as a part-time worker at the West Yosemite Avenue Dollar Tree Store in Manteca.

Ballungay said HOPE sta , based on her Golisano’s work ethic, reached out to benefactors that obtained a car for the single mom to use. at allowed her to drive to Tracy where she landed a job at Medline earning $15 an hour working full-time.

Her work ethic paid o at Medline. A er a series of raises and promotions she is now making more than $22 an hour with bene ts.

“I saved everything I could,” Golisano said. “When I received stimulus checks and tax refunds, I put them into savings.”

at, Ballungay said, was not the

case with others in the shelters who immediately spent stimulus checks or — as one minister involved with the program said — “blew right through the money.”

While at the transitional housing she paid a percentage of her salary for rent just as would happen in a federal subsidized housing unit.

“We do that so our clients can get used to budgeting funds for when they are out on their own,” Bullangay said.

Golisano was determined not to just rent. She wanted to own a home to secure the stabilization that owning a home can bring where the mortgage is not subject to annual increases like rents are.

And while squirreling away money she accumulated enough cash to buy

her own vehicle and return the car HOPE Ministries had provided.

“I didn’t want to owe anyone money on the car,” she said. “ e car is important to me. It is how I get to work. I can’t a ord to lose it.”

Golisano enlisted the help of Realtor Ben Adrian of Tracy for her house hunt.

A er making o ers on a number of properties, she had one accepted for a 1,400-square foot double-wide mobile home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms built in the 1970s that is located in a Stockton mobile home park.

Her $90,000 o er was accepted for a mobile home that was being sold by the three sons of a woman who had passed away. e mobile home appraised for more than $110,000. e brothers were willing to pay for work that came close to $5,000 to cover some issues that the mobile home park required to be addressed. Adrian helped with the closing costs.

at means Golisano is now a homeowner, something that she dared not dream six years ago when she was living on the streets.

In a typical year HOPE serves 75 families encompassing 225 individuals of which 60 percent of children.

GOLISANO WAS WILLING TO DO WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO PROVIDE FOR HER SON.

HOPE Ministries Executive Director

Cecily Ballungay in the bedroom of an apartment in the family shelter.

e faith-based pro t doesn’t simply provide emergency shelter per se. ey have counseling services for everything from money management to family interactions to addressing addictive behaviors. ose that need skills sharpened to be employable are provided such services and work with sta to secure employment.

One of the reasons why HOPE Shelters may enjoy a high success rate is because they “discriminate” by not allowing those testing positive for drugs to be sheltered and access programs.

at is considered discrimination under federal law. As such the requirement to test drug free cuts the non-pro t o from many sources of government funds to help cover the cost of emergency homeless housing. Agencies accepting such money must take everyone who shows up when they have room including those who test positive for drugs.

As a result, the bulk of their $300,000 plus annual budget comes from churches, businesses, private sector grants, and individual donations.

at doesn’t mean HOPE doesn’t take those dealing with addiction.

Applicants need to be clean when they are accepted and stay clean. HOPE provides services to help people stop abusing substances. If they relapse while at a shelter based on testing, they and their families are sent packing.

ose that can’t stay clean given it means their families will be o the streets aren’t considered ready to be e ectively helped by HOPE Family Shelters. at’s based on them demon-

strating they value using drugs more than sheltering their families.

Failing the test doesn’t mean they can’t reapply at a later date if they decide to stay clean and past drug tests.

HOPE Ministries is in its 28th year of helping homeless families get back on their feet.  Overall, they have helped more than 6,000 people since they rst opened their doors in 1994.

e family shelter on Yosemite Avenue has seven apartments. e non-pro t has acquired an adjacent lot with a house they plan to convert into a counseling center for families residing in the complex. ey also hope to build three additional apartments that could end up housing between six and 24 more people at any given time.

HOPE Ministries also operates a shelter for single moms and children in a former rest home on South Union Road known as the Raymus House. at is in addition to a six-unit transitional housing complex near Doctors Hospital where families can stay for up to two years and pay 30 percent of their income in rent

For more information, go to hopefamilyshelters.org. ●

HOPE SHELTERS

DREAMING

OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

By DENNIS WYATT

Helping Others & Providing Encouragement (HOPE) Ministries is dreaming of a White Christmas.

“We have a number of organizations and churches that adopt families already for Christmas,” noted HOPE Executive Director Cecily Ballungay. “So, what we ask people that want to give to help us have a White Christmas.”

The premise of a White Christmas is simple.

They ask those who want to help to provide “white” items families they help need year round.

It includes white items such as paper towels, toilet paper, tooth brushes, towels, pillows, linens, pillow cases, socks, toothpaste, notebook paper for school projects and such.

White items that HOPE can use in teaching families life skills and money management as well as to create resumes such as printer paper also are appreciated.

Items such as deodorant, personal hygiene items and such are also accepted even if they are not white.

It is the White Christmas theme, however, that has encouraged people to spend a couple extra dollars when they are at a store to help struggling families.

“You can pick up an extra six pack of toilet paper when you are at the store or purchase a couple of pillows,’ Ballungay said.

The non-profit that assists an average of 75 families year encompassing 225 individuals with 60 percent of them children.

Each family when they leave HOPE are given towels that they use so they don’t have that expense to worry about.

Every second or third family will leave with bedsheets and such as HOPE only uses such items for several different families.

Given the non-profit operates almost exclusively on grants and donations, monetary contributions are always accepted.

It is especially true this year when technical glitches during the annual Evening of Hope fundraiser in November reduced the usual donations of $20,000 or more they typically receive to just $5,000.

The organization needs to come up with $15,000 to plug a hole that will create in their budget.

More information is available at hopefamilyhelters. org or call 209-824-0658.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HOPE SHELTERS MAY ENJOY A HIGH SUCCESS RATE IS BECAUSE THEY “DISCRIMINATE” BY NOT ALLOWING THOSE TESTING POSITIVE FOR DRUGS TO BE SHELTERED AND ACCESS PROGRAMS.

By JOE CORTEZ

Golf is a game that you can play at any age and, thanks to the handicap system, against anybody.

Given enough strokes, your grandfather could compete favorably with Tiger Woods during his prime.

It’s also a game you can play anywhere. However, that’s a bit more complicated than being given a few strokes by your opponent.

Getting around to di erent golf courses takes time and money, not to mention a bit of planning.

Luckily for David and Silver Lamb of Riverbank, they were able to make it all work.

e Lambs take great pride in playing di erent golf courses, so much so that it became their decade-long quest to play an 18-hole round of golf in all 50 states.

e couple completed that quest this summer when they played 18 holes at Anchorage Golf

Course in Alaska.

“I’m very proud that we stuck to it and completed this,” said Silver. “It was de nitely a bucket-list goal,” added Dave.

e Lambs, who have been married for 29 years — Silver celebrated their big day on Sept. 25 with a hole-in-one at Spring Creek Golf and Country Club in Ripon — and they’ve been playing golf for nearly 25 years.

ey’re both retired. He was a meat cutter for Save Mart Supermarkets and she an elementary school music teacher for Sylvan Union School District.

Dave and Silver Lamb of Riverbank recently completed a decade-long quest to play at least one round of golf in all 50 states. The Lambs display the ball marks, on a map of the U.S., from the courses they’ve played.

THE CHICAGO DOG

weather to get in the round. More than that, a rainy day could throw o their entire itinerary.

“We would y to one destination, rent a car and then drive to di erent courses,” Silver explained. “We had to play speed golf in Memphis to beat the rain.”

e coronavirus pandemic was a setback to the entire endeavor, but they were able to make up for lost time.

“ is year was the big one,” said David. “We did nine state’s this year.”

ey embarked upon this journey simply by seeking out di erent courses to play within the Golden State, with no other purpose in mind than to play interesting layouts.

en, in 2012, they took a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Naturally, they decided to play a little golf while they were there.

And a plan was hatched. ey decided to start small. ey ventured into Oregon and then Arizona.

“We quickly realized that there weren’t enough years to get all the states in if we didn’t start playing multiple courses each trip,” said Silver. So, the next trip we did Washington, Idaho and Montana.”

e following year it was North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Next, it was Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.

And so on, until they realized that they could tackle even more states — six to eight — per trip.

In 2017, they traveled to Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming and the Dakotas. e following year, it was Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and, for good measure, Washington D.C.

“We did two states in one day,” said Silver. “We played a course in Connecticut and then drove over to Rhode Island and played one there. ose states are so small, it’s manageable.”

Some courses were just nine-hole courses, so they’d play them twice. Hey, nine plus nine equals 18, right?

In Memphis, they had to deal with nasty

e Lambs’ golf outings were about more than just golf.

e travel allowed the couple to visit parts of the country they never thought they’d see, it a orded them the opportunity to meet new people, try new foods and experience all di erent types of weather.

“ e Chicago dog … it’s everything that’s is said to be, but the Chicago-style pizza, not so much,” said Dave “And they had excellent prime rib in Kansas.”

But mainly, yeah, it was about the golf. ough, it’s not always easy playing a course with which you’re unfamiliar.

“If you have a blind shot over a hill or around some tree,” said Dave, “you’re at a disadvantage if you haven’t played the course before.”

In addition to battling the elements — summer in other parts of the country isn’t always as sun-drenched as the summers in Central California — there are other local “residents” with which to contend.

“We were warned about ticks and bears and alligators,” said Silver.

Despite wandering across the country, David’s favorite golf course was one nearby — Wolf Creek Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev.

“It was gorgeous,” said Dave. “You get to hit o elevated tees, it’s carved through a mountain, and the light is just totally di erent.”

Silver’s favorite was the Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley, Idaho.

But their favorite thing of all? Just

Riverbank recently completed a decade-long quest to play at least one round of golf in all 50 states. The Lambs show o some scorecards that they’ve collected from their travels and saved in a scrapbook.

hanging out together.

“We got to play golf together and be outside and enjoy a nice walk,” said Dave.

During the adventure, Dave’s best round was a 79 — he has an index of 12.7 — at Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Mass. Silver’s best score was an 88.

“ at came at Prairie Dunes in Nebraska,” she said.

Actually, Prairie Dunes Country Club is in neighboring Kansas. Silver’s 88 was carded at e Prairie Club in Valentine, Neb., where they have two courses — the Dunes Course and the Pine Course (designed by former British Open champion Tom Lehman).

“ at’s it. e Prairie Club. I got them confused,” she admitted. “All I know is that I had the best pork chop of my life there.”

So, what’s the next big quest for the Lambs?

“I don’t know,” said Dave. “We’ve been thinking about that. Maybe the Canadian provinces.”

Sounds like a plan, eh? ●

Dave and Silver Lamb of

…

IT’S EVERYTHING THAT’S IS SAID TO BE, BUT THE CHICAGO-STYLE PIZZA, NOT SO MUCH

BUILDING THE DREAM

MODESTO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM EYES SPRING 2023 OPENING

By CHRISTOPHER CORREA

Since 2019, Modesto’s Katie Barber and her team of educators and parents have set out on a goal to bring a children’s museum to the Central Valley. After years of fundraising, planning and community outreach amongst other efforts, that dream is finally becoming closer to a reality as construction and renovations within their space on 930 11th St. in Modesto is officially underway.

The property is the former home to Heart and Soul Coffee and the Fat Cat Music House and was acquired by the Modesto Children’s Museum organization back in 2019 with help of community donations. The vision for the museum is to offer local children unique opportunities to engage in learning-centered play, beyond what they can access at home, at school or at traditional museum environments.

Barber serves as the president of the Modesto Children’s Museum and ex-

plained how the idea of bringing a space like this to Stanislaus County came to fruition between her and the other Board members.

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

Once completed, the museum will feature 10 unique exhibits that will allow children to participate in hands-on learning activities, including a maker’s space, numerous science spaces, a library area, a performance stage, a geography room, a water play area, agriculture room and more. Each of the exhibits will be unique to the Modesto museum and won’t be found anywhere else. But it won’t just be for the younger children to experience, as teenage and college-aged volunteers will

We’re all parents and we’re also all passionate about making the community festive and particularly investing in our local children.

be accepted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Whenever the building is ready, the

exhibits and installments will be ready to be shipped, which is very exciting,” Barber said.

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

The Modesto Children’s Museum is in the homestretch of its fundraising efforts. Since the idea came to fruition

in 2019, the entire project has been funded through donations from community members and organizations, such as the Turlock Irrigation District, Hilmar Cheese, the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation and Stanislaus County. The organization has recently set a goal of raising an additional $1,500,000 before next spring. So far, they are just over halfway to that ed point.

The project will also receive a significant boost in funds starting in October thanks to the Boyett family of Boyett Petroleum in Modesto.

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

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

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

Whenever the building is ready, the exhibits and installments will be ready to be shipped, which is very exciting.

PHOTO

By VIRGINIA STILL

Redwood Café in Oakdale has been open now for over a year and Lead Bartender Peter Papaioannou wants to save everyone a trip to San Francisco by serving up a cra cocktail like no other. e new restaurant, bar, and event venue is located at 160 N. ird Ave., in Oakdale o ering a big city vibe without losing that small town charm.

e restaurant in Oakdale is a sister property with Redwood Café in Modesto, bringing a partnership between Bob Campana and John and Ann Maddox together to o er people in the 209 more delicious food and tasty cocktails.

For approximately 32 years, Papaioannou has been in the restaurant industry in a variety of positions from the back of the house to the front and all the way around. And one of his most favorite positions has always been bartender.

“My parents had restaurants all my life,” said Papaioannou. “I can remember when I was like 5, running around the

co ee shop. ey opened up a place in Antioch just as I started high school and I started o in the kitchen there and became the cook. I have been a banquet captain, head waiter, manager, owned my own taqueria at one point. I have done everything. I know the industry well in the front and back.”

He moved to San Francisco and got a job at John’s Grill and when he turned 21, he became the banquet bartender. at was his rst taste of bartending and

he has been enjoying it ever since.

“I like it,” expressed Papaioannou about bartending. “ e bartenders have the best job because you interact with everybody. You are the face of the restaurant.”

With creative freedom at Redwood, Papaioannou has created secret cocktails utilizing his cooking background conceiving some exquisite libations like the Beach Cue. He created the vodka gimlet with muddled cucumbers and basil that was taste tested and approved by his wife. is customer favorite was a hit during the summer and still has patrons asking for it.

He noted, “I still have people come in and order it all the time. I always have those ingredients so it is always fresh. It is tasty and a little sneaky.”

Bourbon and Ryes continues to be a drink trend with establishments adding a little smoky avor to

The bartenders have the best job because you interact with everybody. You are the face of the restaurant.

some classics like the old fashioned.

At Redwood they o er a few di erent old fashioneds including a smoky one with Dickel Rye whiskey, walnut bitters, and a grapefruit peel. ey do a baked maple old fashioned with Four Roses Bourbon that is garnished with candied bacon. Yes, this drink comes with bacon and it is not a Bloody Mary. e avor blend as you take a bite of the crisp, savory bacon and then a sip of the old fashioned is truly delightful.

e winter cocktail menu is out and it has some customer favorites like the Gin Bath, Twitterer, Flor de Amor, and 8 Seconds.

e Gin Bath is served in a giant wine glass with Grey Whale Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, grapefruit, Juniper berries, fresh cucumbers, and fresh rosemary.

eir twist on a margarita is the Flor de Amor that comes with Cimmaron

Tequila, St. Germain Elder ower, fresh strawberry, agave nectar, and lime juice that is not only pretty but also tasty.

Paying homage to being in Oakdale, the Cowboy Capital of the World where bull riding is a favorite pastime, they o er guests an 8 Seconds Manhattan that is a ‘fan’ favorite served with Rittenhouse Rye, Rosso Vermouth, Meletti Amaro, and Australian Aromatic Bitters making this version smooth and yummy.

“Come here and try our cocktails,” remarked Papaioannou. “We make our own juice here. It makes the drinks smoother. No one really does this.

ey use fresh juice and this is one step ahead. It is acid balanced. If we don’t have it then we can probably make it.”

ey host di erent events like the ‘Meet the Brewer’ held last month in the courtyard where guests met Matt with

Oakdale’s Dying Breed and had some brews paired with some light bites. ey also have wine tastings featuring certain varietals.

ey are a full bar with a nice selection of wines, a few beers on tap and a number of cra cocktails. e bar is a large open space where they also serve the full menu. ey are open Tuesday through Saturday at 4 p.m. and the kitchen opens at 5 p.m.

For more information, you can visit their new website, redwoodcafeoakdale. com.

“I think I learned a lot from a lot of people, cooks and everything that I just have 30 years of experience and I know what works and what I like and how to modify things,” Papaioannou summarized. “I try to make sure my drinks are balanced and tasty. It is a really fun environment.” ●

By VIRGINIA STILL

There is a dinner hot spot in a commuter town in the 209 called Bistro 135 where guests can delight in a variety of items from a Basil Arancini, Arugula Apple Salad, to a Baked Bolognese, Pasta alla Norcina or wood-fired pizzas. Located on 10th Street in Tracy, Bistro 135 is just that small, casual restaurant that has big flavors hitting all the senses with their American, Italian cuisine from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Executive Chef and Owner Kevin Fahey has been cooking in the kitchen with his grandmother since he was 3 years old, when his love for food began. His grandmother had her own garden so farm to table is something that Fahey grew up with. After six years in the Air Force, he attended culinary school in Napa where he learned French techniques with California cuisine and different styles.

“My motto is good food people know,” said Fahey. “We have done well. It is a small family place. Everybody here feels welcome, it doesn’t matter what you wear. I don’t care if you are rich or poor, I want you to come here to eat. Food brings people together and that is how it should be. That is what we want here at Bistro. We are simple. It is about the food.”

The restaurant industry can be challenging and a lot of work but Fahey has found some solace with a great crew, supportive community, and a family he loves dearly. The restaurant opened in April 2016; a business venture that he started with his wife. Through many changes over six years like surviving a pandemic, losing his grandparents,

and becoming a father of three little ones himself, Fahey feels fortunate to have a successful bistro.

“It feels surreal,” Fahey said. “I never thought we would have a successful business let alone a restaurant because of how hard it is to make money in this industry. I feel like people were born to do restaurants. It is a different industry. If you are not willing to put the work in and the hours, it will not survive.”

There are 12 employees at the restaurant and two sous chefs that have been with Fahey for the past six years. They are given creative freedom in the kitchen, which has influenced the menu. Tracy native and Sous Chef Jesse Gomez shared that his favorite day in the kitchen is their fresh handmade “Ravioli Thursdays.”

“Tracy never had anything like this before,” said Gomez. “I am born and raised in Tracy. I am fifth generation.

All my family comes in all the time. It feels good to be able to put good food out that everybody loves.”

On Thursday, Gomez gets in and makes the handmade pasta and creates a new ravioli each week. When asked what his favorite ravioli is he said, “my favorite ravioli is the next ravioli.”

“I am proud of my guys back there,” said Fahey. “We are not perfect but they do a really great job consistently. It is my crew and me that make this restaurant run and they do a very good job. I have a great staff that I trust 100 percent.”

Like the regulars that they have in the dining room, the same is true of the menu with a few items that have been there since day one including the Creamy Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, Mac N’ Cheese, and the Cast Iron Sizzling Shrimp. The original menu only had 16 items on it but that has evolved through the years to many more delectable offerings.

The Chicken Parmesan is a guest favorite that is hand-breaded chicken breast with herbs and spices crisped to perfection, tomato sauce, mozzarella served with a non-traditional pasta in a white yummy cream sauce making this dish very palate pleasing.

The house made Baked Bolognese with slow-cooked ground pork, beef in tomatoes and vegetables that is traditionally made with pancetta but at 135 they use bacon, which gives it a little bit of a different taste while keeping that authentic texture and is very well done, topped with bread crumbs and freshly grated cheese and a little kick from the red chili pepper flakes.

I never thought we would have a successful business let alone a restaurant because of how hard it is to make money in this industry.

e shareable, crispy Basil Arancini balls are made with their in-house risotto, parmesan brodo, fresh basil and cheese that are deep fried and served on the house tomato sauce with a balsamic reduction. e crispy outside with the so goodness on the inside is a delightful treat.

For those that may want something a little lighter they have soups and salads like the Arugula and Apple Salad made with red onions, macerated cranberries, honey glazed pecans and apple slices with a house made apple vinaigrette, giving it a very nice blend of sweet and savory avors.

ey have two hydroponic gardens where they grow herbs for both the restaurant and the bar. ey have happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“What surprises me is how open-minded I have become since opening my restaurant six-and-a-half years ago,” added Fahey. “I love the rush of things. I love that every day is di erent. People need to eat so as long as you have a good restaurant and quality food you should never go out of business. I will never go hungry; my family will never go hungry. My perspective has changed a er having kids. Family is more important than anything in life. Without family and without love, nothing matters on this earth.” ●

What surprises me is how open-minded I have become since opening my restaurant six-and-a-half years ago

No need to stay at home this New Year’s Eve. There are a host of happenings where you can join others in celebrating 2023. Below are just a few.

Merced

Club Mercedes is hosting a New year’s Eve party. Doors will be open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Pure Harmony will provide live entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $25 each which includes champagne toast at midnight. Guests can bring snacks but no outside alcohol.

Club Mercedes is a nonpro t organization in Merced that supports local school and city sports teams through cooking fundraiser dinners and serves as their sponsors as well. It is located at 569 W. 9th St. in Merced.

Turlock

e Grand Oak Banquet Hall and Event Center in Turlock will be ringing in 2023 with the tunes of Assyrian superstar Alan George. Guests will be treated to a cocktail hour between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. before being served a four-course dinner at 8. ere will be an open bar throughout the night. And if all that isn’t enough, minutes a er the ball drops will bring the opening of a complimentary taco bar. Tickets to the celebration are $100 and can be purchased at Yonan’s Jewelers, the Grand Oak or by calling (209) 484-

Modesto

Modesto’s longest running nightclub will not only be hosting their popular New Year’s Eve party, but dinner will also be served. General admission to the event is $25, while $50 will get you a delicious dinner. Current entrée options include slow roasted tri-tip, fresh Atlantic salmon, cherry chipotle glazed salmon, parmesan-crusted chicken and lemon thyme chicken. Plates will be served at food stations with a salad, three sides and a dessert. Reserved seating is only available with the purchase of a dinner ticket only, and the dinner tickets can only be purchased in advance. ose looking to reserve their spot can do so by calling (209) 544-1962. Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. while general admission will start at 8 p.m. All attendees must be 21 years of age.

Stockton

Tracy

e I.P.F.E.S. Portuguese Hall of Tracy will ring in the new year with a Winter Wonderland Ball. e semi-formal event will start at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails. At 7:30 p.m., dinner will be served, which will be a choice of steak and shrimp or salmon and shrimp. Live music from Gilbert Machado will have the dance oor rocking from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A champagne toast accompanied with chicken soup will take place at midnight. For any questions or tickets, contact Steven Martinho at (209) 610-9905, Luis Rocha at (209) 346-6591 or Lucia Martinho at (209) 629-5147.

Friends of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stockton will host their Stake Family New Year’s Eve party, which will feature games, food, music and dancing. It will be a pot-luck dinner, so guests are encouraged to bring an entrée, desert or a snack to share with everyone. e celebration is open to the public and will take place at 800 Brookside Road near the University of the Paci c.

Stockton

If staying up all night, isn’t your thing and want to celebrate New Year’s Eve earlier in the day, the Stockton Dirt Track will have end-ofyear entertainment covered. Starting at 1:30 p.m., A-Mod’s, B-Mod’s and Hobby Stocks will take to the blazing fast dirt oval. Tickets are being sold online and will be available at the gate. ose purchasing in advance online at Eventbrite will receive a special $10 price while those purchasing at the gate will pay $15.

Lodi

The Masquerade Gala hosted by the Tower Parks Waterfront Grille will be treating guests of all ages to a night of live music and a hearty dinner. The Working Class Band will be providing entertainment throughout the night while the dinner will include a choice of prime rib, rosemary chicken or pesto pasta. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and music officially kicking off at 7 p.m. A no-host bar will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 am., when the event wraps up. Tickets are $60 per person with group discounts also available.

Sonora

Begin the New Year by stepping forward in a dynamic and exciting experience with the New Year’s Fire Walk, set from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Jan. 7, 2023 at 14952 Sena Lane in Sonora. You can experience the Sierra Foothills and start 2023 off with empowerment and inspiration. More information can be found at allevents.in/Sonora/new-years-firewalk.

San Andreas

The Metropolitan on Main Street in San Andreas is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner, show, and party event starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. It is a special 1920’s themed comedy performance called Dinner For One and will include a four-course meal ending the evening with ringing in the New Year. Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple; tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite under San Andreas dinner for one.

Sutter Creek Party like it’s 2023 at the Hotel Sutter in Sutter Creek for their New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31. Enjoy elegant food stations in their banquet room and dance the night away to music by their DJ. It is a masquerade ball and guests will be greeted with a glass of champagne topped with cotton candy to start the festivities. There will be prizes for best masquerade costume and an option to upgrade to VIP for early access to their all-new Copper Room lounge and experience a “speak easy” vibe to kick off the evening. The event begins at 8 p.m. starting at $100 per person for the regular celebration and $150 per person for the VIP access to the Copper Room. Tickets and more information can be obtained by calling 209-267-0242 or visiting cellarpass.com/nye-masquerade-ball-at-hotel-sutter. ●

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS TIPS AND TRICKS

By KRISTINA HACKER

The dreaded question - what are your new year resolutions? This question should be banned at all water coolers, social media threads and definitely family get-togethers. No matter how much the thought of New Year resolutions causes almost unanimous groaning, we continue to make them.

According to History.com, we have the ancient Babylonians to thank for this tradition. They are thought to be the first people to make New Year’s resolutions about 4,000 years ago. They made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our new year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor—a place no one wanted to be.

(I think many people would be more motivated to stick with their resolutions if the consequence of missing a day at the gym was a lightning bolt striking them down!)

According to a more recent study, as many as 45 percent of Americans say they usually make New Year resolutions, However, only 8 percent are successful in achieving their goals. 209 Magazine

asked local experts to offer some tips and tricks on how to get started achieving those resolutions.

RESOLUTION: GET FIT/HEALTHY/LOSE WEIGHT

Getting healthy is a common New Year’s resolution, but it’s much easier said than done. 209 Magazine asked Erin Bashaw, DNP, MSN, RN, Director of Multi-Specialty Nursing and Weight Loss Surgery for Doctors Hospital of Manteca, for some advice on how to make healthy changes in 2023. Here is what she said:

209 Magazine: How do you recommend those looking to get fit in the New Year start working towards that goal?

Bashaw: Set small achievable goals and do one goal a week. Each week add a new goal. If your goal for the New Year is to eat healthier, start by eliminating one food or drink item that you know you should avoid. For example, soda can be loaded with sugar and hard on the digestive system. Start by eliminating soda and instead drink water. If you are missing the bubbles in soda, try sparkling waters. When we start with small goals and we achieve them, we are much more likely to stick with our plan. Another great example to eat healthier is to food prep at least two meals a week. When you plan your meals, you are less

likely to eat unhealthier choices.

209 Magazine: What things should people avoid when making a fitness plan?

Bashaw: I love this one! Every year people tell themselves they are going to join the gym and workout every day. Gyms can be expensive and let’s face it – crowded in the New Year. Instead, use some space in your house or in your neighborhood to do a quick internet workout. There are literally thousands of easy do it at home ten minutes or less workouts for all intensity levels. I do squats in my kitchen waiting for my coffee to brew and 8lb weights in my closet when I am figuring out what to wear. I used to use 5lb weights but they got too easy. See success – goal achieved. I also track how far I walk every day on my smartphone. My goal is 10,000 steps a day.

Again it comes down to setting small achievable goals AND doing what works best for you in the time you have to exercise. I have a co-worker who uses a foot pedal bike under her desk while she works. If you have not hit the gym all year, start with putting on some good shoes and going for a walk. Set small goals and the big rewards will come later.

209 Magazine: Are there ways for people to keep their motivation as the months go on?

Bashaw: The best way to stay motivated is to feel successful. You want to set yourself up for success so that you continue to feel motivated. How many times have you told yourself you are going to lose weight? You lose a few pounds but then gain it back and feel discouraged and may even give up. Setting small goals is the best way to achieve them and move forward feeling empowered. Start with a goal of 5 pounds in one month. It does not seem like much but 5 pounds a month for four months is 20 pounds. You can keep the momentum going if you feel good about your personal accomplishments and feel the physical benefits. The loss of just a few

pounds can make people feel so much better physically and emotionally.

RESOLUTION: GET ORGANIZED

The new year is as good a time as any to get organized, according to Renewed Order owner Amethyst Reyes.

“I hear all too often of the overwhelm, anxiety, and stress our clients experience daily from the clutter and disorganization in their homes. The time spent finding the kids missing shoes, husband’s xyz, and car keys along with the money lost buying multiples of misplaced items will never be reclaimed,” she said.

Making time, rationalizing purging, and getting the whole family on board is a daunting task. But, according to Reyes, the weight lifted off your shoulders, the increased time there is to spend doing what is enjoyed, and lack of hearing “mom where is my…”, is an investment well deserved.

Reyes said the most common areas she finds clients struggling with are those that contain sentimental items or high traffic areas such the entryway. With that said, here are three practical tips to get your 2023 organizing goals started:

- Just like any other goal, make this a priority, be realistic and stick to it! Designate a set amount of time each day/week to purge and organize.

- Analyze what is and isn’t working for your family and why. Create systems around your current habits/routines. For example: if your family takes their shoes off in the garage don’t create a space in their closets. Instead create a system in the garage that is cute and functional.

- Choose small areas first. Ones that you have minimal attachment to, such as a junk drawer, medicine cabinet, or linen closet. This will give you the momentum and confidence you need to tackle the bigger areas.

- Set a timer! Don’t allow yourself to leave

I HEAR ALL TOO OFTEN OF THE OVERWHELM, ANXIETY, AND STRESS OUR CLIENTS EXPERIENCE DAILY FROM THE CLUTTER AND DISORGANIZATION IN THEIR HOMES.

that area until the timer goes o . is will hold you accountable and keep focus. Be sure to allow time to tidy up and put away items that have a home.

“Remember, it has taken time to get this messy so it will take time to get it all in order,” said Reyes.

For some professional help getting organized, contact Renewed Order to book your in home consultation at (209)802-0094, renewedorder.com or on IG: @renewedorderbyamethyst

RESOLUTION: SAVE MORE MONEY

For many people, getting a better handle on their nances is their main goal. is resolution can seem overwhelming, but there are free tools out there that can help. e website consumer.gov o ers tips on managing your money, information on credit, loans and debt, ways to avoid scams and identity the and a toolbox of other informational resources like how to sign up for the Do Not Call Registry and where to get a free credit report. Consumer.gov o ers these tips for saving money:

• For one month, write down everything you spend. Small expenses, like a cup of co ee, can add up to a lot of money. When you know where you are spending your money, you can decide what you might not want to buy.

• Pay with your credit card only if you can pay the full amount when the bill comes. at way, you do not pay interest on what you owe.

• Pay your bills when they are due. at way, you will not owe late fees or other charges.

• Keep the money you are saving separate from the money you spend.

• Consider opening a savings account in a bank or credit union.

• If you keep cash at home, keep the money you are saving separate from your spending money. Keep all your cash someplace safe.

RESOLUTION: RECONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Sometimes end-of-the-year re ection turns towards our personal relationships. e holidays o entimes shine a light on the broken relationships in our lives, whether it’s family members who we’re feuding with or friendships that have gone to the wayside due to neglect.

Licensed Marriage and Family erapist Jacob Hiykel said that rst step in reconnection is to rst identify what caused the break in the relationship and then reach out.

“Open communication is important in any relationship. When a person has a feeling they wish to communicate, they trust it will be received in the way they intended. With a polarizing world climate, there has been a breakdown in communication among family members and friends based on values and beliefs surrounding COVID, politics, the environment, etc. In my work with individuals, I have seen lifelong friendships end and family members cut ties with each other based on their values and beliefs on these topics alone,” said Hiykel.

Hiykel said not communicating wants and needs can o en lead to anger.

“Respect is a key unmet want or need on any value or belief where you may not feel the same. It is a common value most people share; however, when we feel disrespected it can lead to arguments or ghts which then causes the disconnect. We all want respect,

but it is also a value we should provide to others even if we have di erences of opinions. is will allow us to reconnect or maintain the current connections we value with friends and family,” he said.

Hiykel’s number one suggestion for people wanting to connect with family or friends in 2023 is to convey your desire to spend time with the ones you love and then have no expectation outside of this.

“Make your speci c want or need to connect known; then leave it to the other person to respond. Having no expectation is important, because if there is an expectation, that the other person cannot meet (based on values, beliefs etc.), then instead of reconnection, there will be cause for the disconnect to remain. ey will either respond with a similar want or desire, or they simply will not,” he said.

Hiykel said if your family member or friends doesn’t respond, be satis ed that you communicated your desire to spend time with them. If they choose to not put as much e ort or value on spending time together, then remember that is their choice, and you can then put e ort into relationships with people who value your time and space.

For professional help with relationships, contact Hiykel at (209) 485-7471 or Jhiykel@protonmail.com. ● or Jhiykel@protonmail.com.

arts&culture

By VIRGINIA STILL

PHOTO BY FOTOBOB.COM

eople in the 209 will have an opportunity to get their laugh on in the new year when Scott ompson – better known as Carrot Top – brings his unique brand of humor to the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto on Jan. 15.

Carrot Top has been doing comedy since the 1980s and for the past 17 years he has headlined in Las Vegas at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. rough the years his style of comedy has evolved from being just a prop comic to performing a multimedia show.

“I would say early days I was de nitely a prop comic but I have been doing it so long that the show has elements of stand up and really multimedia,” said ompson. “ ere are tons of videos and songs, stand up and props and then there is a thing at the end where I imitate all the rock bands. It is kind of a rock and roll show. It is high energy for sure. It is pretty cool. It is multimedia kind of rock and roll meets comedy. It is very loud but fun and fast paced.”

He shared that he kind of fell into the comedy path but when he was kid, he knew he wanted to be a performer. During an open mic night at his college, he got on stage and did a pretty good job entertaining the crowd, which gave him the con dence to try it and the rest is history.

ompson shared that his friends and family were all very supportive of his comedy

career choice and with a lighthearted chuckle said, “ en of course you get a little success and they support you more. ey believe in you.”

ere are many comics who inspired him through the years like George Carlin and Richard Pryor.

“ ere were hundreds of comics so it’s hard to pick just one,” added ompson about his inspirations. “George Carlin was one I kind of admired because he reminded me of my father. My father was always a grumpy guy and George Carlin was very grumpy on stage so he used to make me laugh. eir styles are all so di erent, too, so it is fun to watch. So, there was always a nice variety of comics.”

comics so it’s hard to pick just one,” added ompson about because he reminded me of my was very grumpy on stage so he so it is fun to watch. So, there a cluding television appearances, shows, commercials, and a few

Although Carrot Top has done a number of projects in the entertainment industry including television appearances, shows, commercials, and a few movies, he is most con dent doing standup.

He enjoys the stage and performing for audiences whether he is at his residency in Vegas or on the road, noting that road trips always seem to bring di erent elements to his performances. On the road he travels with all his props and it may be more work for both Carrot Top and his crew, but he said there is di erent energy doing live shows and he truly enjoys both.

Earlier this year ompson was on the “Joe Rogan Experience” which he stated was a great time, great exposure, and

brought great feedback.

e Gallo show in January is sure to get the 209 laughing as Carrot Top will hit on current events and make generic observations of everyday life. is is not his rst time in this area but is his rst show at the Gallo and he is excited to bring his show to the 209.

“It is very today,” explained ompson about his upcoming show at the Gallo. “I don’t get too political. Tell them (209) the 702 is coming. e road show is a lot of fun. We always look forward to being out there and seeing new towns and new faces and get out of Vegas and freshen it up.”

When asked what the future holds for Carrot Top, he added, “I don’t have any ending time. I think Willie Nelson said it best. ey asked when are you going to retire and he said ‘from what? is is it. is is what I do.’” ●

like George Carlin and Richard

Opera Modesto is thechanging script

BY SABRA STAFFORD

Roy Steven’s first foray at an opera did not exactly foreshadow his future career as an international opera singer. The Modesto native was a third-grader at Paradise Elementary, a small country school and the class was taking a field trip to Modesto High to see “Madame Butterfly” staged by the Western Opera Theatre, a traveling arm of the San Francisco Opera.

“I recall I had a marvelous time, but that was mostly because of the spit wads we were shooting at each other,” Stevens recalled. “So, I wouldn’t say my first experience with opera led me to my career.”

Spit wads aside, Stevens grew up in a family bustling with children and full of music.

“We didn’t have much money but we had much love and lots of music,” Stevens said. “We sang a lot together and listened to lots of records of musicals, even the opera and things like that.”

That was the start of the pathway that led to Stevens performing in theaters and with symphony orchestras in more than 20 countries on five continents and in 14 languages. Now, he is taking his experience on the stage and off as a producer, casting director and organizer and is serving as the General Director for Opera Modesto. In taking on the role, Stevens has set a goal of expanding the company’s outreach, especially among children so that when they get a chance to see and hear an opera, they

experience it in its entirety, rather than a chance to shoot spit wads.

To do that, Stevens is breaking down the boundaries that so often define opera in this country, particularly that it’s stodgy and not understandable to a wider audience.

“In other countries, opera is like a participation sport,” Stevens said. “If you go to an opera in Italy, everyone is screaming and shouting.”

One example of how Opera Modesto is changing the script on operas is through their production of “The Race.”

It is a re-telling of some of Aesop’s well-known fables. It was composed by Deborah Kavasch and libretto by Linda Bunney-Sarhad. Opera Modesto cast 19 youth performers and since they couldn’t perform it live because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to make a movie. It was filmed by Michael Everett of The Creation Lab, with costumes by Keilani Gleave,

conducted by Liisa Davila and directed by Carolina Stevens.

The result was a film that has won more than 50 awards, been translated into multiple languages and inspired a graphic novel.

“We have been making opera accessible to thousands of kids and adults and it’s usually the adults who think they know what opera is and think they don’t like it,” Stevens said.

The tie in among opera and literature is the next big venture from Opera Modesto with their upcoming PoeCon in Modesto. PoeCon will be a familyfriendly weekend that investigates and celebrates the life, works, and legacy of America’s own literary giant, Edgar Allan Poe. There will be a total of six unique sessions over two days. Each session will be led by a Poe expert. The array of presenters includes educators, authors, professionals and aficionados of Edgar Allan Poe. Each presentation is approximately 45 minutes. Three sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 14. An additional three sessions will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 15. A PoeCon ticket guarantees entrance to all six sessions.

Opera Modesto will also be staging two Edgar Allen Poe inspired operas. “Tell Tale Heart” and “Annabel” will be performed at The State Theatre on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.

For tickets to PoeCon and/or the operas, visit operamodesto.org. ●

In other countries, opera is like a participation sport. If you go to an opera in Italy, everyone is screaming and shouting.

The Madonna Inn

BEGINS

By CLAUDIA NEWCORN

Back in 1950s, Alex Madonna owned and worked a 1,000 acre ranch nestled among the rolling hills on the east side of what would become Highway 101 outside of San Luis Obispo. He had a dream to open a luxury inn. On Dec. 24, 1958 his dream became a reality with the Madonna Inn (MadonnaInn.com).

Wonderfully Whimsical

While most of today’s hotels are simply places to sleep, back in the first half of the 1900s, many were designed to be destinations in themselves. Such is the Madonna Inn which draws guests from around the world, and was a popular place to stay for many Hollywood celebrities in the 1950s and 1960s.

Originally opening with just 12 rooms, today it features 110 unique guestrooms, charming architecture, and a variety of resort amenities. According to staff, to celebrate the grand opening, Mr. Madonna surprised his first guests by not charging them for their stay.

Mr. Madonna clearly had a head for marketing, as well as a sense of humor, and realized that to not only attract guests but keep them coming back, he had to make the Inn a memorable and welcoming place. It reminds me of the original Disneyland, with the same level of elaborate, often whimsical design and careful attention to detail wherever you look.

Pleasantly sprawled up the hillside above the main building, each guest-

room is unique, with its own name, décor, and distinctive furniture. Postcards are available that showcase each room. They range from eclectic to cute. Names include Love Nest, Kona Rock, Irish Hills, and Jungle Rock.

A Visual Adventure

The rooms are just the start of the visual adventure. Within the main building are several gift shops (which include separate men and women’s clothing boutiques), a wine cellar, the Gold Rush Steak House, and the Copper Café.

Color abounds wherever you look, and the main theme is a rosy pink. The carpets are patterned with roses, which apparently inspired Mr. Madonna to create custom carnival glass goblets that replicated the pattern. A staff member explained he wanted people to not see “plain old water glasses” when they entered the restaurants, but something colorful. They have become a signature piece that garnishes all the tables and can also be purchased at the shops. Elaborate decorations are added for special holidays.

Mr. Madonna hobnobbed with William Hearst (of Hearst Castle), John Wayne, and many other rich and famous personages, photos of whom adorn the walls. These guests expected luxury, and this is reflected throughout. Many movie segments and videos have also been filmed on site.

The Gold Rush Steak House is a visual feast, going well with its menu. Elaborate balustrades and chandeliers reflect on burnished woods, mirrors and pink plush chairs. Hand-crafted stained glass windows are everywhere, including in the comfortable old bar. There’s a dance floor and stage, and you can imagine the big band days of yore;

While most of today’s hotels are simply places to sleep, back in the first half of the 1900s, many were designed to be destinations in themselves. Such is the Madonna Inn which draws guests from around the world, and was a popular place to stay for many Hollywood celebrities in the 1950s and 1960s.

A PLACE WHERE TRADITION

today it features live music, and is a popular place for weddings and grand events.

Something for Everyone

The reasonably priced Copper Café is just plain fun, with cozy plush nooks and sturdy wooden tables that have seen many elbows. A diverse menu, excellent food and superb service make breakfast a pleasure. A “must-see” highlight is checking out the extraordinary cakes in their in-house bakery in the Café’s corner. Little children – and adults –stand before the case goggling at them; many are 8-10 inches in height, clad with chocolate curls or other yummy décor.

In addition to the relaxing Terrace swimming pool, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts and spa, there’s also a great trail ride. It takes you up the slope of Bishop Peak, one of the group of long-dead volcanoes that make up the 7 Sisters leading to Morro Bay. Friendly trail guides and horses make the ride a pleasure, and the views are well worth it. Riding

the green slopes, I enjoyed seeing an “older” California before development took hold. If you’re into hiking or biking, you can drive a short way up the hill to enjoy the two trails on the mountain. The historic town of San Luis Obispo is just two minutes away by car.

Whether a guest or just a visitor, you can still take advantage of most of the amenities offered by the Inn. It’s an easy on-off Highway 101. So take the exit, and discover a place where you can escape to over 60 years ago when a hotel was so much more than just a place to sleep. As their slogan says, ‘it’s a place where traditions begin’. ●

Whether a guest or just a visitor, you can still take advantage of most of the amenities offered by the Inn.

Expanded recreation highlights

2022 outdoor news

Those looking to discover adventure, get out of their cars and do something about climate change could learn a thing or two from San Francisco’s Dasha Yurkevich and Zora Kramer.

e two 20-year-old college students rode their bikes through ve states along the Continental Divide this summer. In about 40 days, the pair pedaled 1,777 miles and climbed 120,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains.

“We rode on single track, two track, rail trails, re roads, pushed our bikes up mountain passes, rode highways and backroads. We rode over mountains and through river valleys, meadows, deserts, lakes and towns. We got rained on, hailed on, beaten on by relentless winds, attacked by bugs, and le in clouds of dust

by ATVs,” recalled Yurkevich. “We cried, sweat, bled, and laughed. We rode the Continental Divide.”

In the process, the two did more than bike from Canada to Mexico. ey sent a message and set an example about using sustainable transportation. ey relied on their bicycles and public transit even to reach the ride’s start in Whitesh, Montana and return from its nish in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“Climate justice, in my eyes, means not relying on cars to help us travel and achieve our goal,” said Yurkevich. “Traveling by bike is my favorite way to travel and I hope that by sharing the stories of our journey I can inspire others to give it a try.”

e cyclists plan to keep their wheels spinning, aiming to teach more young people

about bike touring and take an encore ride in 2023. Learn more at instagram.com/youthbikeamerica.

2022 saw the pandemic recede, wild res decrease and outdoor recreation dramatically improve as a result. Here are some other positive outdoor stories you may have missed.

California opened the door to increased outdoor opportunities by committing $57 million for underprivileged people in 125 communities. e

Outdoor Access for All initiative will fund access to nature, outdoor leadership education and career pathways. ousands of people will experience hiking, camping, kayaking, snowboarding and more as a result. “ ese programs will turn parks into outdoor classrooms, inspiring a new generation of environmental leadership in California,” said

Matt Johanson enjoyed hiking 1,300 miles on the Paci c Crest Trail and summiting mountains along the way.

Improvement projects Grove of the Titans, in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park of Del Norte County and within Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation ancestral territories, reopened to hikers following a $4 million faceli . Largely unknown before this century, the grove featuring some of the world’s largest redwoods attracted increasing numbers of hikers who damaged the ecosystem in the last 20 years.

Stakeholders collaborated to improve parking, build restrooms, remove social trails, realign Mill Creek Trail and build a 1,300-foot boardwalk to protect the trees’ roots.

Trailblazers labored on the Lost Sierra Route, a new multi-use path that could

eventually cover 600 miles in six Northern Sierra counties.

Planners from Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship hope the trail will attract visitors and tourism to the economically struggling region. is year, the group worked on a 20-mile segment between Quincy and Taylorsville.

Supporters hope to connect 15 communities from Truckee to Susanville. Discover more at sierratrails.org.

And scuba divers completed an unprecedented project to remove underwater trash from Lake Tahoe, li ing more than 24 tons from the 72-mile shoreline over 81 days. “We have taken action locally and not only have we removed litter but we have inspired others to act globally,” re ected Colin West, founder of the nonpro t Clean Up e Lake. Next the

group plans similar e orts at Donner Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake and June Lake. Find out more at cleanupthelake.org.

Map makeover, revisited

A years-long e ort to change o ensive place names made more progress in 2022. Eighty geographic features on federal land in California, and more than 650 nationwide, have changed to remove a slur demeaning Indigenous women.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland declared the word squaw derogatory and ordered the term replaced on federal territory. at e ort concluded in September with the announcement of new names, like Olympic Valley and Washeshu Peak in the Lake Tahoe area.

“Words matter, particularly in our work to make

our nation’s public lands and waters accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. Consideration of these replacements is a big step forward in our e orts to remove derogatory terms,” said Haaland.

California followed suit as Gov. Newsom signed a law to remove the word from nearly 100 names of peaks, valleys, bodies of water and even towns within three years.

In addition, California State Park and Recreation Commission changed the name of an area within Folsom Lake State Recreation Area to Black Miners Bar, at least temporarily. Negro Bar, the previous name connected to Gold Rush-era Black miners there, drew criticism for decades. e commission plans to designate a permanent name in 2023.

California State Parks Director Armando Quintero.

—Dasha Yurkevich

“We rode on single track, two track, rail trails, fire roads, pushed our bikes up mountain passes, rode highways and backroads. We rode over mountains and through river valleys, meadows, deserts, lakes and towns. We got rained on, hailed on, beaten on by relentless winds, attacked by bugs, and left in clouds of dust by ATVs. We cried, sweat, bled, and laughed. We rode the Continental Divide.”

Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe no longer has a racist and sexist slur in its name.

Pacific Crest Trail exploits British hiker Josh Perry set an amazing record on the Pacific Crest Trail, covering the entire 2,650mile route without support in 55 days, 16 hours and 54 minutes. Running an average of 48 miles per day, he raced in self-supported fashion, meaning he used no support team. Although a fire-related trail closure in Oregon forced Perry to take a slower cross country

detour, he broke the previous self-supported record by more than five days. He has spoken openly about the physical and mental health challenges he had to overcome.

“ is has been a goal years in the making, and a dream of mine since I rst heard of thru hiking a er reading about Heather Anderson’s record-setting hike in 2013,” recounted Perry, 27. “At the end of the day, the experi-

ence I had was an incredible one.”

Then on the opposite end of the PCT spectrum are hikers like yours truly. I continued my incremental approach to the national scenic trail which I started 25 years ago. I’ve trekked bit by bit since then until this year I got more serious. My push from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Rainy Pass in Washington took 77 days and covered

some 1,300 miles, by far the longest walk of my life. I loved everything about it: exploring new places, climbing summits on the way, hiking with old friends and making new ones from all over the world. In 2023, I intend to hike the rest and continue my effort to climb all of California’s 14ers; eight down, seven to go. May the new year bring you outdoor experiences to enjoy as well! ●

Dasha Yurkevich and Zora Kramer celebrate their ride along the Continental Divide.

New Year New Opportunity

By TERESA HAMMOND

Sometimes you gotta stretch a bit.

I’m not talking in the literal sense, which is good as well. I’m talking the proverbial comfort zone of staying with what works and not venturing beyond.

Looking to the 2023 New Year, I must say professionally speaking that’s about to happen and I could not be more excited.

Being vulnerable is hard, especially as one gets older. I mean this world is moving at a speed now which makes my past life (i.e.: my younger days) look as if they stood still. Staying in the “know” in the business of “multimedia” is not just necessary it’s a game changer.

So in keeping with the title of this column space “Fitness and Beyond,” 2023 is going to take us to a bit of the “beyond” side as myself and colleague/friend Virginia Still branch out as “on air” (I think that’s what it’s called) personalities of the 209 Podcast. More specifically, the revamped 209 Podcast with V&T.

This is all new for us both, the nicknames “V” and “T” quite honestly the only two things which are familiar, but we’re not afraid. Now with five episodes

under our belts, we’re more excited than ever to grow this not just with our 209 readers, but the 209 community and beyond as a whole.

As two long time magazine journalists, who started our 209 Multimedia journey as newspaper reporters, V and I both have a combined love and passion for all that we learn and get to live by way of the 209 Magazine. This forum is now giving us a true opportunity to share it on a much larger scale.

What I love about the Podcast forum is its anytime availability. Keeping our segments between 30 to 45 minutes allows listeners the opportunity to get an update while working out, on a morning walk or while driving anywhere at any time. What could be more perfect?

The other thing I love is the genuine organic nature of the vibe between

V and me. Just as one might hear from successful talk show hosts, we don’t discuss what we’ll talk about until our fearless Producer Frankie Tovar gives us the “go” and begins recording.

Our typical routine is to simply share which articles we plan to highlight prior to leaving our Oakdale office. Studio time happens in Turlock,

What I love about the Podcast forum is its anytime availability.

so we typically ride over together and talk life outside of the everyday work space. This always leads to laughs and some head shakes, which puts us right into the right head space once we land behind the mics.

I share this here and now, not simply because I’m trying to grow our audience, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. I share because what the two of us are doing really holds true to a new year and new beginnings.

This whole podcast thing is teaching us a lot; it’s a different gig than putting words to paper and sending it out to the world. Our motive simply bringing our passion and love for what we do in a whole new way and hopefully to an additional audience who may not have known about us before.

In so doing, we’re also getting our feet wet in the Social Media game as well. Recognizing that the best way to be seen (or heard in this case) is to reach people who aren’t cur-

rently in our “follow” queue of 209 Multimedia. That’s an animal in and of itself, but together we’re having fun, as well as some laughs as we learn.

So as we look to 2023 this is what I would hope for our readers and “followers.” Don’t get stuck and stagnate in a place of comfort, whether it be personal or professional. Stretch yourself … step beyond what you know. You may actually surprise yourself and in so doing come away better than before.

For as the saying goes, “Opportunity is missed by most people, because it is dressing in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison

The 209 Podcast with V&T can be found on your favorite Podcast platform. ●

Stretch yourself … step beyond what you know.

RIDING FOR AWARENESS

By TERESA HAMMOND

Austin Andrew won’t be spending his holiday season by a warm fire or his New Year’s pondering a goal. Some might say, he’s living that goal at this very moment.

It’s a goal which he’d pondered for quite some time, yet was both brought to fruition as well as to light at the passing of his sister, Paige.

“I’ve always wanted to go to South America,” Andrew stated of his current trek which began in Baja, California in September of 2022 and is anticipated to conclude in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Andrew, however, is no longer pondering the idea of this goal he set for himself at the age of 18, he’s now living it by way of a bicycle, a tent, sleeping bag and other essentials as he rides 11,000 miles to honor his sister and raise awareness for grief and loss.

“I read a book on it that really inspired it, so I started talking about going on an adventure,”

he said of the goal early on. “Then I lost my sister and that kind of threw me for a loop.”

The middle of three children, the Beyer High School alum said the timing of his current adventure, while not ideal in terms of training and preparation, has meaning and intention which were important to him.

Andrew’s sister Paige took her own life in October of 2019, just one month shy of turning 27. The adventurer himself turned 27 this year and felt it was the appropriate time to honor her memory as well as knowledge a birthday she was never able to see.

Three years post the passing of his older sister, Andrew shared much of the first two years were spent examining all the emotions which come with grief and trauma. Then on her birthday in 2021, he ventured off to take a hike. Raised in the outdoors by parents who mountain biked and were active

A sister lost too soon, Austin Andrew is on a journey, traveling 11,000 miles on his trusty bike to honor his sister Paige and bring grief awareness.

with their children, it was a natural way for the then-26year-old to get outside and connect with his sister.

“When I reconnected with that part of myself and that part of my sister, I realized I had things I wanted to do and I needed to continue living,” Andrew said of his ‘hike with Paige.’

“The one thing you have to do is realize, you have to keep going,” he added, recognizing that post the trauma of his loss, he was simply surviving and not living his life.

And so, the plan was put into place and with less time … and resources than he would have preferred, the outdoorsman set his sights on the 11,000-mile trek.

“A lot of the culture around death is not to talk about it,” Andrew said, noting that as he shared his plans more people began talking about it and sharing their own stories about it. “As they did, I asked the same question, what are you doing to live, not survive.”

From these early conversations, Andrew finally found a place for a phrase from a

Clint Eastwood movie he had always planned to use on an adventure. “We shall continue with style,” is now the mantra behind the mountain biking adventure. Giving purpose to the trek, Andrew prints names of individuals which families have lost to honor them.

As this magazine issue went to press, Andrew had 37 “friends” (names) riding along with him.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve had,” Andrew said of communication via social media and emails during the journey.

“Thirty-seven friends with me, thirty-seven traveling companions,” he said of the names on the bike, noting that not all were lost from suicide.

As he speaks of the names, his travels and the people he’s met during the journey, it becomes apparent that the names are more than just print on a bike. Andrew shared that he is always accepting names to honor those of lost loved ones. His only request is that the person submitting a name share their relationship to

the person, as well as something good about them. On any given day, he may then prompt that the day ahead he may be riding with one individual, honoring them with every pedal stroke.

“With every pedal stroke you learn a little bit more about yourself and the trip,” he said of the adventure.

Being on the road for eight hours a day, he shared he travels approximately 80 miles each day. Taking advantage of daylight, as well as the kindness of strangers when night falls and it’s time for rest.

Along the journey, Andrew shared at the end of each day of riding he looks for a place to camp for the night, which typically tends to be someone’s property or land. On off days he’ll find a cheap hotel or hostel in order to recharge, replenish and reset for the next leg of travel.

“There’s some things you can’t know until you know,” Andrew said of traveling and the camping experience, sharing that for the most part people have been very kind and accommodating.

And riding, he said, has allowed him to experience life in an entirely new way.

“I love riding though, it does help, the physical aspect. I can work through emotions really well when I’m going up a hill,” Andrew explained. “I’m forced to process. Life on my bike, I’m not protected, the rain is going to come. I can sit down and wish I was anywhere else and wish things would change, but sometimes unless you get on the bike and pedal, they don’t change.”

As he continues his travels, strangers becoming friends, life being lived at its fullest as he had once dreamed, he does think of Paige.

“I wish Paige had met the person I am now,” he shared.

“I think she would have gotten a kick out of the person I am now. I think she would have been proud of me.”

Austin Andrew has a website, as well as an Instagram page for those interested in keeping up with or contributing to his journey. Simply visit the website weshallcontinuewithstyle.com or follow weshallcontinuewithstyle. ●

FURRY FRIENDS

find

su ort roughALLIANCE

By MARG JACKSON

While there’s no doubt that pets enrich our lives with their unique blend of loyalty and unconditional love, there’s a group that’s dedicated to helping those pets that don’t yet have a forever home.

e Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance, better known as the OSPA, has a simple mission statement: “Saving and Improving the Lives of Homeless Pets in Oakdale, Riverbank & Escalon.”

comfort,

“Shelters and rescues everywhere, not just us, have been overwhelmed with pets coming in. I think we can say it’s a crisis.”

—Debi Scoles

Originally founded in 2004, the group became a 501c3 in 2012 so it is marking its 10th anniversary as a non-pro t this year. And over the years, the organization has helped countless homeless pets in the area, whether that is providing for medical needs, spay or neuter services, even assisting with adoption fees so homeless pets can be placed in a forever home.

“We pay for certain shelter improvements; for example, in the past we have purchased an industrial strength washer and dryer ... we have helped with new cat kennels, we helped build the dog play yard,” said OSPA board member Debi Scoles, who has been involved in the group since 2010.

“It’s 100 percent volunteer,” she added of the organization. “Our members are volunteers. We are pet lovers.”

A large part of the OSPA e ort in the past has been a voucher program for low-cost spay and neuter services for animals.

at e ort is on hold temporarily, Scoles explained, as they found that the veterinary clinics they worked with on that program are booked with animals that didn’t get to see a vet during the pandemic.

Eventually, they hope to o er that voucher service again, since it is a program which makes the spay-neuter more a ordable and helps prevent unwanted litters of dogs and cats.

“We have a budget, typically we cap it at $50,000 per year but the last few years it has been lower, with COVID, around $35,000 to $40,000 a year,” Scoles added.

Fundraising is the primary source for the group to make their budget, and all money is put back in to helping the animals in some way.

Animal control services for the cities of Oakdale, Riverbank and Es-

calon are all handled through the Oakdale Police Department and Scoles said many of the OSPA members are also volunteers with the City of Oakdale so they can donate time at the animal shelter on Liberini Avenue in Oakdale.

“We walk the dogs, socialize the kitties,” she said.

Ultimately, the goal is to get all the homeless animals placed and the group is always looking for potential families to adopt a pet.

A huge part of what the organization does is provide assistance with the adoption fees, which can be pricey.

“We reduce the fee to $25,” Scoles said of OSPA subsidizing the adoptions. “ at includes the spay/neuter, microchip and vaccinations.”

New homes are needed now more than ever, she added.

“Shelters and rescues everywhere, not

just us, have been overwhelmed with pets coming in,” she said. “I think we can say it’s a crisis.”

But Scoles is hopeful more pets than not will nd forever homes, whether it is in the tri-city area of Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon or elsewhere around the 209 or even beyond. ey have information about available pets, volunteer opportunities and more about the non-pro t organization on their website, www. oakdaleshelterpetallliance.org.

e current board members for the OSPA are: Holly Huizenga, President; Laurie Fanjul, Vice President; John O’Flaherty, Secretary; Lisa Dolling, Treasurer; Diane Merranda, member at large; Linda Hess, member at large; Debi Scoles, member at large.

“I got involved in 2010, a friend of mine was volunteering, we used to do posters of the available pets at the shelter and distribute them around town,” Scoles said of her rst e orts with the group. “She was getting ready to do a lot of traveling and asked me if I would continue to do that (poster distribution) ... I had just retired from teaching.”

So, Scoles traded in the classroom for the animal shelter, still nding a way to be of service.

e OSPA members meet every other month, on the third Tuesday at 6 p.m., typically at the home of a board member. e Dec. 20 meeting will also serve as the group’s Christmas party and they will develop a game plan for 2023, determining what they can do to continue to promote their mission.

ey o en partner with pet stores in the region to host adoption days and plan more of them in the months to come, along with continuing to fundraise and work to improve the lives of homeless pets in their service area. ●

t begins to look a lot like Christmas when twinkling lights brighten up homes inside and out. Few things liven up the season more than holiday decorations, particularly clear and colored lights.

Prior to taking out the lights, ladder and thermos of co ee to get you through the job, it’s important to note that there are right and wrong ways to hang holiday lights.

Sketch out your plan.

Start by taking a few photos of your home from various vantage points. Print out the photos on regular paper so that you can draw your lighting arrangement and decoration placement right on the photos to see how things will look.

Measure the area.

Use a measuring tape to roughly measure the width and height of eaves or other areas of the home where you plan to hang light strands. Calculate how much overall footage you will need so you can purchase all of the lights in one shopping trip.

Test the lights rst.

Plug in the lights to be sure all strands are operational.

Begin where the lights will be plugged in.

Start where the lights will be plugged in and then work your way around the house.

Add to shrubs and trees.

Lights also can adorn shrubs and trees. Lowes Home Improvement says a good rule of thumb is 100 lights for every 11/2-feet of tree or shrub to cover. A 6-foot evergreen needs at least 400 lights for a basic level of lighting.

Know the wattage.

Each outlet can generally hold about 17 amps or 1,870 watts if the lights are not sharing a circuit with another outlet, says Parrish. Plan accordingly to ensure you have enough power to handle your lights.

Use plastic clips.

Plastic light clips hang strands along eaves and gables. ey›re specially designed for hanging lights over the gutters. Some slip under the edges of roof shingles. Lights can be hung without staples or nails, which can damage exterior surfaces. Plastic zip-ties or deck clips also can attach lights along a handrail.

Use only outdoor extension cords. Be sure the extension cords you use are designed speci cally for outdoor use.

Exercise extreme caution. Accidents can happen when stringing lights. While many professionals use harnesses, homeowners are not always so cautious. Utilize a spotter to hold the ladder and make sure things are safe. Never set foot on a wet or icy roof. Do not attempt to string lights in inclement weather.

Use a timer. Timers can make sure the lights turn on and o even if homeowners forget. Once lights have been safely strung, sit back and enjoy the splendor of a well-decorated house. ●

It’s important to note that there are right and wrong ways to hang holiday lights.

oinsettias and their rich red, white or variegated color schemes are the ideal backdrop for Christmas celebrations. In fact, poinsettias are among the most popular decorative owers during the holiday season.

Poinsettias routinely account for about one-quarter of all owering potted plant sales in a year, according to the USDA. Roughly 34 million poinsettia plants are sold in a given season. Indigenous to Central America, the plant was introduced to North America in the 1820s when Joel Roberts Poinsett, the rst United States Minister to Mexico, brought the red-and-green plant back with him from a trip abroad.

While millions of poinsettias will be purchased for the holiday season, many mistakenly think their utility ends once New Year’s Day has come and gone. But with proper care poinsettia plants can

continue to thrive and bring warmth and beauty to a home long a er the holiday decorations have been tucked away.

Choose a hearty plant. Experts with the University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science say that many people mistake the plant›s leaves for its owers. e red, white or pink bracts are actually modi ed leaves.

e owers of the plant are the yellow clustered buds in the center called “cyathia.” Choose poinsettia plants that have buds which are, ideally, not yet open.

Keep the temperature consistent. Poinsettias prefer a room temperature between 60 and 68 F during the day and 10 degrees cooler at night. Humidity levels between 20 and 50 percent are ideal. Group plants on water- lled trays full of pebbles to help increase humidity levels.

Place near sunlight. e United Kingdom-based Perrywood oral company advises placing poinsettia plants near a bright windowsill but not in direct sunlight. Do not let a poinsettia touch cold window panes.

Avoid drafts. e plants are sensitive to dra s and changes in temperature. So, it’s best to keep poinsettias away from dra y doors, windows, radiators, or replaces.

Don’t drown the roots. Wait until the surface of the compost dries out before watering the plant anew. Also, the decorative foil wrapper that covers pots can trap water and lead to root rot. Remove it or poke holes in the bottom to allow for drainage.

Cut back plants. Come mid-March, cut back the plant by half to encourage new shoots, suggests the University of Illinois Extension. e plants also can be placed outside in the spring a er the risk of frost has passed. Bring poinsettias back in around midSeptember to early October to force them to bloom again. ●

ART SERVED UP

ONE SCOOP AT A TIME

By SARAH LAWSON

Located in the hustle and bustle of downtown Lodi is a very unique and creative spot that features a sweet swirl on the original idea of an art gallery; it’s worth the time to check out the Double Dip Gallery.

Originally owned by local ne artist and sign painter Tony Segale, who opened the shop in 2014 as an art gallery that also has an ice cream shop inside of it, the Double Dip is now owned by his daughter Natalie Sauerland, who took over in March of 2021.

e idea to combine an art gallery and an ice cream shop rst came to Segale back when he owned an art shop in Walnut Grove and there was a local ice cream shop next door. He would watch people pass by the shop with the sweet treat from next door and knew that when people thought of an art gallery, they typically also thought of no food allowed. But for Segale, seeing how popular the ice cream store was, he got the inspiration to combine the two.

A er opening a store in Lodi, later on down the road he combined both the art and the ice cream, his plans o cially becoming a reality.

He created the store from the ground up, from the real gold-plated leaves decorating the windows to the design of the logo, he did it all.

Segale, being the painter he is, would paint a good amount of the art showcased in the store and soon found that creating time between scooping ice cream and painting was more difcult than he expected. Fast forward to 2021, Segale had decided that it was becoming too much and that he needed to sell the store; his daughter knew then that the store needed to stay in the family and decided to take it over for her father. She explained that all members of her family have been business owners in Lodi for multiple generations and that it is something natural and normal to own a business in the family.

She also was pregnant with her daughter in the beginning when her father owned it and as time went on her daughter began to grow alongside the shop.

Now Sauerland has ownership while her father still watches over the art side of the store by submitting personal pieces to showcase and approve pieces that artists want to showcase in the shop.

“It’s a family friendly place that helps support the community in our own unique way,” Sauerland expressed. e ice cream is made by Gunther’s, which is based out of Sacramento and has been in business since the 1940s. Gunther’s is known for its

small batch old-fashioned ice cream.

Every season the avors change except a few fan favorites like birthday cake, which has real chunks of birthday cake in it, and staying most of the time is their red wine sorbet that is made with a special blend made only for the Double Dip Gallery - Michael David’s Petite Petit Sirah.

Other avors change with the season like their October avors that included pumpkin and black licorice, November included run raisin and butter brickle and December features the avor of eggnog.

All the avors were chosen by Segale to rotate and feature the avors community mem-

Current owner of the Double Dip Gallery, Natalie Sauerland.

The eye catching retro themed sign glows outside of the shop making a perfect landmark to locate the store. The design was created by Tony Segale as well.

bers enjoy the most.

ey also have fruit freezes to o er, a dairy and sugar free option, as well as milkshakes, sundaes, and fresh poured espresso to go over the avor of your choosing or on top of a milkshake. One show stopper item on their menu is their ice cream tasting palette. You get to choose ve avors that are scooped onto a blank paint palette along with the choice of ve toppings that include hot fudge, cherries, hot caramel, nuts, cone chips, sprinkles and whip cream.

ere are many things to look at while enjoying the sweet treat such as paintings, ceramic pieces, and local handmade jewelry.

e art work rotates every two months but every month one person gets to be the spotlight artist and

have their own exhibit set up to showcase their top pieces.

e spotlight artist gets to have a kick o at the art shop that occurs the rst Saturday of the month from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. where they can choose to paint live or just have a meet and greet with the community.

November spotlight artist was Tracy Abbey and she is also the teacher for the kid’s art classes that recently began. More information on the children’s art classes and the adult classes opening soon can be found on their website: doubledipgallery.com.

Currently their hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through ursday; 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays.

When it gets deeper into the winter months the hours will change slightly by closing an hour earlier on all days and will open at 1 p.m. on the weekends instead of 11 a.m.

e Double Dip Gallery is at 222 W. Pine St., downtown Lodi. ●

THE SPOTLIGHT ARTIST GETS TO HAVE A KICK OFF AT THE ART SHOP THAT OCCURS THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 2 P.M. TO 5 P.M. WHERE THEY CAN CHOOSE TO PAINT LIVE OR JUST HAVE A MEET AND GREET WITH THE COMMUNITY.

Original owner Tony Segale’s piece called American Woman Cycles of Su rage done with acrylic on canvas. The same design was painted by Segale as a mural on the local downtown parking garage.

By SABRA STAFFORD

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

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

“My whole family and friends were beating down my door to get some for anksgiving and Christmas,” Prince-Claxton said. “So, I found myself with a whole lot of orders.”

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

rough lots of careful planning and hard work that idea has morphed into a brick-and-mortar retail location with a variety of pies, cakes, cookies and ice creams to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth cravings.

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

With her grandmother’s recipes as the base, PrinceClaxton has made some tweaks and additions to make the pies something unique.

“It’s funny, but I don’t actually remember eating her sweet potato pie,” Prince-Claxton said. “So, I didn’t have any pre-conceived ideas as to how it should taste. Mine are distinctly di erent. It’s the same recipe but the portions are di erent.”

And they have been nding favor in the commu-

nity. Her mixed berry white chocolate cheesecake won the grand prize at the Merced Nut festival.

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

At the shop visitors will nd mini pies, cake slices, cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream pints. Whole pies and cakes are typically made to order. ose wishing to order for Christmas need to have them in by Dec. 19. To order or learn more about the products, visit thesweetpotatopieco.com. ●

I didn’t think I needed one.

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