Port O Call - April 2010

PORT CALLGREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.stocktonchamber.org APRIL 2010

Photograph by: Arturo Vera, Arturo Vera Photography

Vol. 55 No. 12

Local Business Owner’s Cleaning Services Achieve

National GS-42 Certification by Green Seal™

Spearheading HistoryA Tall Green Stalk is Stockton’s Most Popular

(and giving) Rock Star

PR

SRT

STD

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Small Business Awards

Nominations Needed

Events 4

President’s Column 5

CEO Column 6

Leadership Stockton 7

Programs 10

Visitors Bureau 12

New Members 13

Cover Story 15

News Briefs 23

Calendar 25

CONTENTS

PORT CALL

Spearheading History 15

10Local Business Owner’s Cleaning Services Achieve National GS-42 Certification by Green Seal™

22 Small Business Awards Nominations Needed

Don’t Miss!April Chamber Mixer

Hosted by the Stockton Ports Baseball Club

Thursday, April 1, 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Banner Island Ballpark

404 W. Fremont St., Stockton, CA 95219

Photograph by: Arturo Vera, Arturo Vera Photography

4Asparagus Festival

Photo by: Arturo Vera Photography/Tidewater Gallery

PORT CALLOfficial publication of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Serving the Greater Stockton area business community since 1901.

CHAMBER OFFICERSPRESIDENT Rick Goucher, CB Richard Ellis Commercial Real Estate

SR. VICE PRESIDENT Dick McClure, Woodwork Institute

FINANCIAL VICE PRESIDENT Debbie Armstrong, Old Republic Title Company

VICE PRESIDENT Gary J. Long, Gary J. Long Jewelers

VICE PRESIDENT Stephen Barney, F&M Bank

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTDennis Goldstrand, Goldstrand Planning Group

CHAMBER DIRECTORSPhil Acosta, Delights Waterfront EateryBlaine Bibb, ServiceMasterMelvin Boles, ATM R USJudith Buethe, Judith Buethe CommunicationsSteven Crabtree, Herum CrabtreeDan Keyser, Grupe Commercial CompanyDan Durst, Durst Contract InteriorsBill Harr, Hormel Foods CorporationGeorge Kaplanis, Hilton StocktonKenneth Levy, Wells Fargo AdvisorsTerry Lightfoot, Kaiser PermanenteMike Long, Bekins/ Pacific Storage Co.Brian Martucci, Berberian European MotorsKnute Momberg, Momberg ConsultingFred Walkover, Comcast

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERDouglass W. Wilhoit, Jr. 209.547.2766

PROGRAM & PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR/ BEAFrank Ferral 209.547.2763

SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTORHeidi Altamirano 209.547.2764

OPERATIONS/FINANCE DIRECTORSandy Dwyer 209.547.2770

VISITORS BUREAU DIRECTORWes Rhea 209.547.2770

VISITORS BUREAU/ GROUP SALESMonica Slingerman 209.547.2770

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMichelle Flores 209.547.2770

MEMBERSHIP SALES CONSULTANTTeri Manley 209.337.2723

SCAP COORDINATORCarmen Lamas 209.337.2718

SCAP COORDINATOR/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMikki Gilbert 209.337.2730

SPECIAL EVENTS/ LEADERSHIP STOCKTON COORD.Timm Quinn 209.547.2960

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FINANCE DEPARTMENTLia Her 209.547.2770

RECEPTIONIST/ CUSTOMER SERVICEAlyssa McConnell 209.547.2770

PUBLISHER Stockton Chamber of Commerce 209.547.2770

GRAPHIC DESIGNNever Boring Design Associates 209.526.9136

ADVERTISING Amanda Boyer 209.988.5800

PRINTINGSnyder Lithograph 209.466.9026

MAILINGStockton Mailing & Printing Inc. 209.466.6741

GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 220, Stockton, CA 95203

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Greater

2010 Asparagus Festival Volunteers Needed

There is still time to join Tortellini Timm or Angel Hair Heidi

as a volunteer in the Chamber’s Pasta Booth at the famous, world-

renowned Stockton Asparagus Festival April 23, 24 and 25! If you’re

into having some weekend fun with some great people, while raising

funds for our Chamber programs, then you will love preparing pasta

with some like-minded folks. Only a few time slots open so act fast.

To add your name to the volunteer list please call or e-mail

Timm Quinn, 209-547-2960 or [email protected].

2010 Golf Tournament

The good news is that our 29th Annual Golf Tournament is

not yet sold out! However, we suggest you sign up your foursome

before it is. Elkhorn Country Club will host our day on the greens

April 12, beginning with registration at 10:00 a.m., lunch at 11:00

a.m. and a shotgun start at noon. After the tournament, we’ll have

an awards reception honoring the top players of the day.

If you’re looking for an easy way to highlight your business

products or services, consider donating a prize for our post-

tournament raffle. It’s an ideal way to market your business to

other high-profile business people supporting and participating in

our tournament.

So make at least one of your Mondays in April a fun one by

joining us at Elkhorn Country Club. Just give Timm a call at

547-2960, and he’ll be happy to sign you up.

Eventsby: Heidi Altamirano

continued on page 22

Annika Sorenstam Sponsor:Food 4 Less/

Rancho San Miguel

Fred Couples Sponsors:National University

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 442

Ricky Barnes Sponsor:Builders Exchange

of Stockton

Beverage Sponsor:Delta Sierra Beverage

Hole-In-One Sponsors:Gary J Long Jewelers

Roger Dunn Golf Shops

Special Thanks to:SJC Economic Development

Association

As of 3/4/10

Golf Tournament Sponsors

APR2010 4www.stocktonchamber.org

www.visitstockton.org

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From the desk of……..The “King of the Wok”

As many of you may have heard I will be

serving as your Chamber President again next

year, as my successor changed careers and wouldn’t

be able to make the commitment next year. I

am humbled and honored that the Executive

Committee and Board of Directors voted to allow

me to serve this second term. I look forward to

helping our members work through these tough

economic times.

April is great month to be a Chamber member.

As noted in the opening line, yours truly was

dubbed “King of the Wok” by Chef Martin Yan,

of Yan Can Cook, at last year’s Asparagus Festival.

From Your President...by: Rick Goucher

Come Saturday April 24th, I will be stationed at

my usual post next to Frank Ferral making the best

Asparagus Pasta known to man (or woman). This

year marks the 25th anniversary of the Asparagus

Festival and is sure to be fun for all. So whether

you like the pasta (and who doesn’t), the deep-fried

asparagus, or the spirits make sure you come out to

the event.

April is also the month of the Chamber golf

tournament, so make sure you get your foursome

together and sign up. Remember an “Event a

Week” is all I ask. See you at the Golf Tournament

and the Asparagus Festival.

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce5

From Your CEO...by: Doug Wilhoit

Homer lived in the 8th century and I think there were folks

around then like the authors of the Forbes senseless “ranking lists”,

and someone like Mr. David Mori whose letter to the editor ran in

The Record on March 6. Mr. Mori referred to the Forbes ranking

of Stockton as the “Most Miserable City” in which he described in

part as, “nothing to do”, “cultural dead zone”, “no entertainment”,

“no independent cinema”, etc. He went on to say, “There’s nothing

for young people to do, because the malls and the movie theaters

aren’t affordable every day.” He also added that he “will be looking

elsewhere as soon as [he] can afford to leave.” Certainly he is a

product of the sad state of affairs within our society today—a

generation living off “entitlements” in which personal responsibility

is not taught nor practiced. He must not have ever heard that

“nothing in life is free.”

I think Homer had Forbes and/or Mr. Mori in mind when he

wrote three things.

1) “Young men’s minds are always changeable, but when an old

man is concerned in a matter, he looks both before and after”

2) “Miserable mortals who, like leaves, at one moment flame

with life, eating the produce of the land, and at the other moment

weakly perish”

3) “It is equally wrong to speed a guest who does not want to

go, and to keep one back who is eager. You ought to make welcome

the present guest, and send forth the one who wishes to go.”

It has been my experience that one who thinks the “grass is

greener” elsewhere soon finds out that is not always the case!

After the letter appeared, Wes Rhea, the outstanding director

of the Chamber’s Conference and Visitors Bureau, wrote a response

and I hope it is in The Record prior to this April issue of Port O Call

hitting the streets. He did a great job responding to Mr. Mori and

Forbes regarding subjects they addressed.

I bet you lunch at Stockton Golf and Country Club the

“miserable” and “nothing to do” Mr. Mori who stated we are a

“cultural dead zone” did not take the time to attend the wonderful

St. Mary’s High School Theatre Department presentation of Les

Miserables, held February 25-March 7, 2010 at the San Joaquin

Delta College Tillie Lewis Theatre. Wow, did he miss something

very, very special. Congratulations to all the students, Director

Kevin Costello, parents, sponsors, and Delta College for allowing

we “miserable Stocktonians” to witness a performance that was just

a exciting on the Tillie Lewis Stage as it has been on Broadway and

cities around the country.

For Forbes and Mr. Mori I will list JUST A FEW (space will not

allow me to list them all) of the cultural opportunities available to all

if they only took the time to explore and educate themselves: Alan

Short Gallery, Ballet San Joaquin, performances and entertainment

of all types at the Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre, Cambodian Buddhist

Temple, Children’s Museum of Stockton, Pacific’s Brubeck Institute

and Festival, Conservatory of Music and Reynolds Gallery at Pacific

and Pacific Long Theatre, Delta Center for the Arts, Friends of

Chamber Music, Haggin Museum, Stockton Opera, 86th Season

of Stockton Symphony Orchestra, LH Horton Jr. Gallery at San

Joaquin Delta College, Goodwin Gallery, Stockton Chorale,

Stockton Civic Theatre, Stockton Empire Theatre (always packed

with young people), Delta Center for the Arts, Tidewater Art

Center and Gallery, and there are many more. But here is one real

special one for Forbes and Mr. Mori replying to his comment of “no

independent cinema”, The San Joaquin Film Society, home of the

International Film Festival.

If anyone reading this knows Mr. Mori I am continued on page 17



Community Serving Community Session

Leadership Level Sponsor: Financial Center Credit Union

Lunch Sponsor: F.J. Dietrich & Co.

Community-based organizations have always been essential

to our local community. Charitable, nonprofit groups play an

important role in our lives, extending help to our community in

many ways. That is why each year we devote an entire day exploring

some of Stockton’s finest community-based organizations.

For the participants the day began like no other. The class was

divided into six teams, each assigned to a different community-

based organization. The six organizations were: Women’s Center

of San Joaquin, St. Mary’s Interfaith Community Services, Stockton

Shelter for the Homeless, Child Abuse Prevention Council,

Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin, and Gospel Center

Rescue Mission.

Once the teams arrived at their host locations each were

given tours, an information session, and got right to work. After

working hard all morning the class met at the Yosemite Club for

a great lunch sponsored by F.J. Dietrich & Co. The mayor joined

the class for lunch and applauded the class for their choice to join

the Leadership Stockton program and stressed the importance of

volunteering in the community. After lunch, the teams walked to

the offices of United Way of San Joaquin County. There, President

and CEO Andy Prokop introduced the wonderful staff of United

Way, and thanked the class for their commitment to the community

and their participation in Leadership Stockton. Andy spoke about

United Way and how Leadership Stockton participants are already

well on their way to being the future of Stockton.

Each team then had the opportunity to share their experience

with the other members of the class. They used words such as “eye-

opening”, “deep respect”, “life changing”, “better understanding”,

“amazing”, and “extremely impressed” when speaking about

their time spent at the various non-profit agencies serving our

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PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce7 @ Timm Quinn: [email protected]

community. Most participants felt it was one of their favorite

sessions this year.

I would like to thank the following people for their

contributions to the success of this session: Andy Prokop and the

United Way team for all of their help and for the generous use of

their facility, and to each hosting non-profit director who helped

make the day so special: Lindy Turner (LS ’01), Uyen Do (LS ’08),

Tim Viall (LS ’93), Edward Figueroa, John Reynolds and Joelle

Gomez (LS ’95)—Thank you for opening your doors!

Leadership Stockton Accepting Applications for the

2010-2011 Class

Leadership Stockton, California’s oldest adult community

leadership program, is accepting applications for the Class of

2011. Tuition for the 11-month program is $900. Applications

and class schedule can be found at www.leadershipstockton.com

or by calling 209.547.2770. Deadline is June 18, 2010.

The selection process involves a written application and

personal interview. Approximately 26 applicants will be chosen

to attend the program, representing a cross-section of the greater

Stockton community.

For information or an application, visit

www.leadershipstockton.com, call Timm Quinn at 547-2960 or

email [email protected].

Retail Shopping Centers Senior Housing Medical Offices Industrial Facilities

Office Buildings Private Schools Churches Restaurants Hospitality

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Green Team San Joaquin Sponsors:

Buy Local, Buy Green Sponsors:

Green.edu Sponsors:

REACON Sponsors:

www.greenteamsanjoaquin.com

P Stewardship stands for Policies, Practices and Purchasing Stewardship. This award was created by the Green Team San Joaquin's REACON Team to draw attention to distinguished businesses that implement green procedures that helps the environment and reduces their cost of doing business in Stockton and San Joaquin County.

For a business to be eligible for the P Stewardship, they must demonstrate best practices:

Nominate an Outstanding Business for Community Recognition!

P Stewardship Award 3

What procedures are being utilized for recycling?

What steps are taken to conserve energy?

How are they reducing air pollution?

What are they purchasing that is green?

What cost-savings have been realized with going green?

The award will be given at the 2010 Chamber Business Awards Luncheon held at noon on June 3rd, 2010 at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd. in Stockton.

3

3

P Stewardship Award nomination forms can be found at www.stocktonchamber.org3

ProgramsDepartmentby: Frank Ferral

Local Business Owner’s Cleaning Services Achieve

National GS-42 Certification by Green Seal™

Stockton, CA (February 19th, 2010) – ServiceMaster Building

Maintenance is pleased to announce that we have achieved the GS-42

certification for our cleaning services. As a proud Stockton business

for 3 years, our team worked closely with Green Seal, a respected U.S.

environmental leadership eco-label. In order to attain the coveted

GS-42 certification - the environmental standard for green cleaning

services - our team completed a rigorous certification and audit of our

cleaning services.

Located in Stockton, CA, ServiceMaster Building Maintenance

started green cleaning in 2007. Since then we have seen our business

grow at double-digit rates in this tough economy. As a local business

owner, Blaine Bibb is also a member of the Green Team San Joaquin

• Business Records Storage• Media/Vital Records Vault• Certified Document Destruction• Document Imaging Services

Mike Long, Director of Marketing

209-320-6618www.pacific-records.com

(GTSJ), in which he serves as the Chairman of this trailblazing and

successful program, and on the Board of Directors for the Greater

Stockton Chamber of Commerce. It seemed a natural fit to first test

and use the Green Seal cleaning standards at the Chamber’s facility.

The auditor of the program inspected their location and we could not

have accomplished this without their cooperation.

ServiceMaster Building Maintenance became a leader in the

green cleaning movement by using the proprietary and patent-

pending Capture and Removal Cleaning® system, a highly effective,

environmentally-friendly cleaning system which reduces toxins and

improves indoor air quality—contributing to a healthier workplace.

ServiceMaster Clean partnered with Green Seal to implement GS-42

certifications of local businesses because we determined that the

guidelines established by Green Seal and 3rd party verification of our

cleaning program would set us apart in the industry.

Our Green For® cleaning products are free of surfactants and

wetting agents, and contain no ingredients that are considered

corrosive, alkaline or acidic. They have no VOCs (volatile organic

compounds). ServiceMaster Building Maintenance is committed to a

core value of environmental stewardship.


www.visitstockton.orgFor more info, contact Frank Ferral at [email protected]@

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Conference & Visitors Bureauby: Wes Rhea

The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out!

Don’t forget that from April 1-11 Stockton will celebrate

locally grown asparagus during the Great Stockton Asparagus Dine

Out. The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out invites Stockton-

area foodies and families to enjoy delicious dishes prepared with

fresh, locally grown asparagus at participating restaurants. These

restaurants will be featuring asparagus-related menu items , from

Asparagus Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus Ravioli to Rice and

Asparagus Pudding and Asparagus Margaritas.

Check out the participating restaurants and menu offerings at

www.DineOutStockton.com.

Get California Travel Info

The mobile California Welcome Center (CWC), a California-

branded Airstream trailer will return to the Stockton Asparagus

Festival, April 23-25. The trailer will have travel information on

California and specific regions within the state. Sponsored by the

California Travel & Tourism Commission, the Airstream visits the

largest festivals and events in California, including the Amgen Tour

of California bike race.

Be sure to stop by and take a picture with Joe Tourist! By the

way, California travel info is available year-round at the Visitors

Bureau here at the Chamber offices.


www.visitstockton.org@ Wes Rhea: [email protected]

209.337.2721

Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Stockton.Restaurant.Week

New Members

Animal Shelters

Delta Humane Society

4590 S. Highway 99

Stockton, CA www.deltahumanesociety.com

Coffeehouse

Empresso Coffeehouse1825 Pacific Ave .

Stockton, CA www.empressocoffeehouse.com

Distribution Center

GBM Manufacturing 620 North Monroe St.

Stockton, CA www.gbmceramics.com

Economic Development

Humanists Development Foundation , CA

1459 Venice Cir.

Stockton, CA www.hdf4u.org

Insurance - Agents & Brokers

Medina Insurance Agency

7488 Shoreline Dr. Suite B-4

Stockton, CA www.medinainsuranceagency.com

Mortgage Bankers

Metlife Bank - Reverse Mortgage

PO Box 2236

Murphys, CA www.mlbreversemortgage.com

Night Club/ Restaurant

Taste Ultra Lounge

510 E. Main St.

Stockton, CA www.tasteultralounge.com

Cosmetics & Perfumes - Retail

Mary Kay Costmetics

110 W. Fremont St.

Stockton, CA www.marykay.com/nalferez

Social Media Marketing

Advanced Networking Group1110 W. Kettleman Ln., #24

Lodi, CA www.advancenetworkinggroup.com

Construction - Consultants

Associated Builders and Contractors -Golden Gate Chapter

2433 Tejon St.

Lodi, CA www.abcggc.org

Locksmiths

Big Valley Lock & Key3706 E. Hammer Lane #102

Stockton, CA

Hotels

Clarion Inn & Suites4219 E. Waterloo Rd.

Stockton, CA www.clarionhotel.com/hotel/cac18

Lexington Plaza Waterfront Hotel110 W. Fremont St.

Stockton, CA www.lexingtonhotels.com

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For more information on becoming a new member, please contact Teri Manley

at 209.337.2723 or email [email protected]. Please allow up to 90

days for your listing to show.

For additional member info, go to www.stocktonchamber.org


Cash and Carry Smart Foodservice6502 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA

Creekside Care Center9107 N. Davis Rd., Stockton, CA

Quick Connect Sprint Outlet4343 Pacific Ave Ste. A1, Stockton, CA

Ribbon CuttingsMarch 2010

For additional member info, go to www.stocktonchamber.org

Bama Thompson BodyBliss Holistic

Wellness Center

Blair HakeAmeriprise Financial

Bob HurstEducational Psychology

Bruce WertACN Telecommunica-

tion

Carol ClemonsAngel’s Caring Helpers

Ella HolmanOmega Funding

Geri BlasStockton Post Office.

Gloria BlaineBasket Caravan

Gourmet Gifts

Janice Herechski Sunflower Presents

Jeannie ComptonCamlu Assisted Living

Josie MartinezMerrill Gardens

Kamie LongMainstay Staffing

Linda StocktonEntravision Radio

Marshallistic SaulsburyDazzlin’ Cleaning

Service

Matthew GrizzleThe Record

Pattie GulickNew Image Sign Co.

Richard ValenzuelaWadell & Reed

Attending Ambassadors

* Liaison of the month John Paval

WSB Mortgage Services

* Welcome Squad of the Month Gloria Blaine

Basket Caravan Gourmet Gifts

* Honorable Mention - LiaisonKamie Long

Mainstay Staffing

Ana Golden

Ana Golden Insurance Services

Tracee Bucio

BodyBliss Holistic Wellness Center

Skip Benz

Innovative Merchant Solutions



converted when they saw the long lines of cars

queued up on I-5, on their way to that initial

Asparagus Festival.

“We debuted Asparagus Alley that very

first year,” Post—now the Festival’s Executive

Director—recalls. The Festival’s signature

dish, deep-fried asparagus spears, was also

introduced then. “And to this day it remains

our best-seller,” Post adds. Since that time, a

host of chefs have had great fun concocting

a series of additional asparagus-inspired

favorites, such as asparagus pasta, burritos,

steak sandwiches, and ice cream.

Lovely but Limited

With a lake in the middle of the Park,

Oak Grove was a lovely location for the

Festival for its first 18 years, Post remembers.

But the Festival needed industrial-grade

infrastructure that could accommodate its

rapid growth. “With attendance growing by

leaps and bounds, we had to think about

capacity - like more parking and better access

to utilities,” she says. For many reasons,

downtown Stockton was the perfect place to

migrate the Festival. Move it did to Stockton

in 2004 where it remains today.

When the Festival opens on April 23, the

biggest challenge, says Post, will be managing

the ‘normal chaos’ that happens when nearly

Spearheading History

by: Patricia Kutza

COVER STORY

A Tall Green Stalk is Stockton’s Most Popular (and Giving) Rock Star

Name recognition. For many Californians,

the city of Gilroy is synonymous with garlic.

And likewise, Stockton is inextricably

connected with asparagus. Matches made in

heaven? Truth be told, they were actually

made right here on earth.

In Stockton’s case, it hearkens back to

1985 when a bunch of San Joaquin County

promotional gurus descended on Gilroy’s

Garlic Festival to see what all the fuss was

about. This group included Kate Post who

was then co-founder of GAMUT Promotions

and Advertising and then Supervisor, Doug

Wilhoit, they recall that this exploratory group

came back from that event wondering what

other single crop could attain the same kind

of rock star status that garlic had established

in Gilroy. And a consensus emerged: Why not

audition asparagus in the San Joaquin County?

Started With a Thousand Pounds

It must have been quite a scene in 1985:

Trucks laden with a thousand pounds of

asparagus, picked fresh from neighboring

farms, hauling down Eight Mile Road en route

to the site of the first Stockton Asparagus

Festival – Oak Grove Regional Park, north of

Stockton. Doubters who questioned whether

asparagus could pull in the size of crowds

that garlic was pulling in Gilroy quickly were

By the NumbersThe 25th Annual Stockton

Asparagus Festival

5,500: Volunteers who run

the festival

100+: Non-profit groups

benefiting from the

Festival’s profits

100,000: Average number of

people who attend

40,000: Pounds of home-

grown fresh asparagus

that will be served

11-20: No. of spears in 1 lb.

of large asparagus

4: Calories in 1 spear of

asparagus

2.2: Grams of protein in

3.5 oz. of boiled and

drained asparagus

2: Cups that equate to 1 lb.

of trimmed asparagus

1852: First year asparagus

was grown in California

7lbs 5.81oz.: Amount of

asparagus eaten by

the 2009 winner of the

Deep-Friend Asparagus

Eating Championship,

Patrick Bertoletti

1: Stockton Asparagus

Festival is the largest

charitable food

festival in CA

4,700,000: Dollars

distributed to 100+

local non-profits since

the Festival started

Stats compiled from the 25th

Annual Stockton Asparagus

Festival Cookbook, 2010 Edition


Spearheading History

by: Patricia Kutza

100,000 visitors negotiate through the maze of food and arts/

crafts booths, entertainment, and all the other activities

planned for three days. It’s a big anniversary - 25 years - and

the historical value is not lost on Post.

A Big Twenty-Five

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Stockton

Asparagus Festival, there are some exciting features. There is a

commemorative Festival cookbook dedicated to the Festival’s

founders: Bill DePaoli of the California Asparagus Commission,

Joe Travale of the Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau, and

Gordon Medlin of the Bank of Stockton. Also featured are the

presence of such perennially popular celebrity chefs like the host

of Yan Can Cook, Chef Martin Yan and marquee talent names

like Pete Escovedo, Blue Oyster Cult, and Sha Na Na.

There is also the immense pride that comes with knowing

the Stockton Asparagus Festival is now the largest charitable

food festival in California. “Many of the non-profits that

volunteered at our very first festival are still with us,” says Post.

“In a faltering economy, a number of fundraising festivals have

gone away. We are delighted that we are still around and still

able to give back so much to so many.”

In a faltering economy, a number of fundraising

festivals have gone away. We are delighted that

we are still around and still able to give back so

much to so many.


www.visitstockton.orgPhoto by: Arturo Vera Photography

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CEO Cont’d from pg. 6

sure he can use a computer for more than playing games, so

direct him (and you too) towards www.VisitStockton.org to

see what is really happening here in Stockton and around the

region. It takes more than just looking up the website, it takes

experiencing what is available to residents and visitors of all

ages.

With that said, it is the month of the Chamber Golf

Tournament held at the Elkhorn Country Club on Monday,

April 12. Hopefully you have already signed up your foursome

because they go fast. If not, you can go to our website www.

StocktonChamber.org for a sign-up form. Always a great event!

Hey, Mr. Mori: April means Asparagus Festival! How

about volunteering to help over 100 non-profits continue to

provide much needed services to your fellow citizens and at the

same time have a great time to sooth your boredom?

The Festival is April 23-25 in Downtown Stockton and

this is the 25th anniversary! It promises to be one of the best.

Volunteers and attendees alike always have a great time and

feel good that they are helping those in need. Volunteer at the

Stockton Chamber booth will be serving asparagus pasta and

this year we have added Asparagus Ice Cream (featured on this

month’s cover), a treat concocted by Wes Rhea and Gleason’s Ice

Cream. Contact Timm Quinn here at the Chamber for available

volunteer hours.

Also from April 1-11 enjoy the Great Stockton Asparagus

Dine Out, featuring many Stockton restaurants showcasing

locally grown asparagus in delicious dishes. Please go to

www.DineOutStockton.com to find which restaurants are

participating and a list of their special menu items celebrating

San Joaquin-grown asparagus and kicking off the 25th

anniversary Asparagus Festival.


Step through the doors of St. Joseph’s new Patient Pavilion and you’ll be impressed. From its innovative architectural design, the modern two-story foyer, soothing colors, and the original works of art, you might think you are entering a 5-star hotel, but even better . . . you’re entering a 5-star hospital. While you won’t find Egyptian cotton linens or chocolate truffles on the bed, you will find highly trained and compassionate staff, state-of-the-art technology, and a healing environment designed with you, the patient, in mind. And yes, all of our spacious, private rooms have a window – because although we want to give you the ultimate patient experience, we know that you want to be out living life to the fullest . . . and we want that, too.

The new Patient Pavilion includes:Women & Infants Center • Neonatal Intensive Care • Adult Intensive CareOncology Care • Medical/Surgical Care • Healing GardensMeditation Room • Expanded Parking • All Private Patient Rooms

1800 North California Street Stockton, CA 95204 - StJosephsCares.org

with aRoom

View

Introducing our new Patient Pavilion

March 4 Mixer Photos @ Residence Inn by Marriott REXPO - March 11

From left to right: Lloyd Evans, Michelle Sherlock, Debbie Mason 1st Floor

From left to right: Rick Goucher, Andrew Ysiano, Gary Anderson,Guillermo Perez From left to right: Lynn Quijada-Splan, Pati Delahunty, Warden’s

From left to right: Randy Howard, Heidi Moorefield, Gary Torre Shelley K. Burcham, San Joaquin Partnership

From left to right: Margaret Morrison, Toni Taboada

From left to right: Connie Rill, Ed WanketSan Joaquin County Enterprise Zone



Small Business Awards Nominations Needed

This year our 2010 Small Business Awards ceremony will

take place at the Hilton Stockton on June 3rd at noon. This is your

chance to nominate those businesses, managers, and employees

that you consider to be exceptional in their field. Awards will

be presented in each of the following categories: Small Business

Person of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Business Manager

of the Year, Business Employee of the Year, and the P3 Stewardship

Award. Nomination forms can be found on the front page of the

Chamber website, www.StocktonChamber.org

We look forward to you joining the Chamber in recognizing

the top honoree in each category. The deadline for nominations

is April 9th. You may also nominate your own business, as well as

your employees. For more information, visit the website or call the

Chamber at 547-2770.

June Business Showcase & Tradeshow Mixer

Sign up now for the June 3 Business Showcase & Tradeshow

Mixer at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd. Expose

your products and services to over 300 business attendees, meet

some new people, and grow your business. Tables are just $250

for Chamber Members. Table space is going fast, so sign up now!

To sign up or receive more information please call Timm

Quinn at 547-2960 or e-mail him at [email protected].

State of the City 2010 Is Just Around the Corner!

If you’re ever in doubt that we live in a great community, just

attend our annual State of the City 2010! This year the State of the

City will be held May 13th at the Port of Stockton. Sponsored by the

City of Stockton and the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce,

this event features exhibits showcasing the critical and inspiring

services available to you, your loved ones, and neighbors—all in the

interest of maintaining a wholesome community.

Mayor Ann Johnston will hold her second State of the

City and will share the many exciting ideas and visions she

has to better our great city. The day begins at 10:30 a.m. at the

Port of Stockton, allowing you to get an early start visiting the

exhibits, as well as with exhibitors ready to answer any questions

Events Cont’d from pg. 4

or concerns you may have. At noon, lunch will be catered by

Outback Steakhouse followed by speaker presentations. After the

presentations, exhibits will stay open until 2:30 p.m. Invite your

clients, friends and neighbors to join you so you’ll all be in on the

reasons we’re so proud of our great city.

Sponsorships are still available, so take advantage of this

high-profile marketing opportunity for your business. For more

information, call Heidi Altamirano at 547-2764 or email to

[email protected].

State of the City 2010 Sponsors

Platinum:A.G. Spanos CompaniesBank of Agriculture & CommerceBekins/Pacific Storage CompanyBig Valley Ford Lincoln MercuryBuilders Exchange of StocktonCity of StocktonDelta Sierra Beverage - Bud Light LimeFinancial Center Credit UnionFood 4 Less/Rancho San MiguelGreen Team San JoaquinGrupe Commercial CompanyHerum CrabtreeHousing Authority of the County of San JoaquinHumphreys CollegeJ.R. Simplot CompanyLexington Plaza Waterfront HotelMetro PCSNational UniversityNeumiller & BeardsleeOak Valley Community BankPark West Place/Pacifica Retail Management

Port of StocktonSan Joaquin Delta CollegeSan Joaquin MagazineSan Joaquin Partnership, Inc. San Joaquin Regional Transit DistrictSt. Joseph’s Medical CenterStockton Conference & Visitors BureauStockton East Water DistrictStockton Ports Baseball ClubThe Record/San Joaquin Media GroupUnited Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of PhoenixUniversity of the Pacific University AdvancementWells Fargo Advisors

Gold:Great Valley Center/ UC Merced

Silver:Arturo Vera PhotographyDevcon Construction, Inc.R & S Erection of Stockton, Inc.

As of 3/4/10



Opening Day of Yachting Season! On April 24, Stockton Yacht

Club is sponsoring its annual opening day parade and celebrating

its 80th anniversary. Weber Point Events Center is the location of

judging at 2pm and will return to Stockton Yacht Club after. For

information email [email protected]. $10 entry fee will be

donated to the Red Cross for Haitian disaster relief.

The Stockton Opera Guild is pleased to announce its 35th

Emerald Anniversary Gala to be held 6 p.m., Sunday April

11th at the Stockton Golf & Country Club. Fine wine, hors

d’oeuvres, dinner and live music for $85 per person. For

reservations or information visit www.StocktonOperaGuild.org

or call Chairperson Betsy Erhardt at 954-0219.

Greater Stockton Employer Advisory Council (GSEAC) is meeting

April 16, 2010. Keynote Speaker is Vida Thomas from Carlsen

Thomas LLP on Preventing and Responding to Workplace

Violence. 7:15 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Buffet Breakfast/Raffle included.

RSVP: Colleen Martin 825-2723 or [email protected].

Jenn August, C.H., a certified hypnotherapist, will speak at

the April 7th luncheon meeting of the Stockton Women’s

Network. Ms. August will share the top 3 mistakes that most

businesswomen make which leads to burnout. Networking begins

at 11:30 a.m. at Elkhorn Country Club (1050 Elkhorn Drive). Visit

www.StocktonWomensNetwork.com for more information.

Romanian-born Pianist Peter Takacs will be featured at Stockton

Symphony’s “Fantastic Finale” Concert in Schumann’s Piano

Concerto. The two concerts will take place at Delta College’s

Atherton Auditorium on Thursday, April 15 at 8pm and on Saturday,

April 17 at 6pm. Tickets range from $20 to $55 and can be purchased

by calling 951-0196 or visiting www.StocktonSymphony.org.

News Briefs Submission Guidelines: News Briefs must be submitted before the 1st of each month to [email protected]. Please put “PORT O CALL” in the subject line. Submissions must be no longer than 50 words total and should include contact information. News Briefs will be included on a space available basis and may be edited for content.

Romanian-born Pianist Peter Takacs


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CalendarApril 2010

Highlights4/1 - Chamber Mixer - 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

@ Stockton Ports - Banner Island Ballpark

404 W. Fremont St.

4/23 - 4/25 - Asparagus Festival

New Member Meeting - 10:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference RoomChamber Networking Mixer - 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. @ Stockton PortsGreat Stockton Asparagus Dine-Out

1

GRC - 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference RoomLeadership Stockton Economy Session - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. @ Hilton Stockton9

Business Education Alliance - 3:30 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room28

Chamber Board Meeting - 4 p.m. @ Chamber Board Room29

Coming Up: May MixerMay 6 @ F&M Bank, 4612 McGaw Street, Stockton

Liasion Meeting - 12 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room19GRC - 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference RoomAsparagus Festival Begins23

29th Chamber Golf Tournament @ Elhorn Country Club - 10 a.m.12

Green Team San Joaquin - 9 a.m. @ Chamber Conference RoomChamber Executive Committee - 7 a.m. @ Stockton Golf & Country Club

14

MIDR - 7:30 a.m. @ TBA8

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Port O Call - April 2010

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