Port O Call - April 2011

The Stockton Asparagus Festival Is All About Giving Back P

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State of the City 2011 Is Just Around the Corner

Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out

PORT CALLGREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.stocktonchamber.org APRIL2011

Vol. 56 No. 12

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PortOCall_8.75x11.25.indd 1 2/11/10 12:43:57 PM

Events 4

President’s Column 5

CEO Column 6

Leadership Stockton 7

Programs and Public 10Policy Department

Visitors Bureau 12

New Members 13

Cover Story 15

News Briefs 19

Calendar 21

CONTENTS

PORT CALL

The Stockton Asparagus Festival Is All About Giving Back 15

12 Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out

Don’t Miss!Networking Mixer

4State of the City 2011 Is Just Around the Corner

Bob Hope Theatre hosted by Friends of the Fox Thursday, April 7, 5:15-7:15 p.m.

242 E. Main Street

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

CHAMBER OFFICERS

PRESIDENT 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 DIRECTORSBlain Bibb, ServiceMasterJudith Buethe, Judith Buethe CommunicationsSteven Crabtree, Herum CrabtreeDan Durst, Durst Contract InteriorsClint Harless, Stockton Auto GlassGeorge Kaplanis, Hilton StocktonDan Keyser, Grupe Commercial Company Kenneth Levy, Wells Fargo AdvisorsMike Long, Pacific Records ManagementRich McDonald, Class One SafetySonya Morgan, External ResourcesRen Nosky, Downey BrandFred Walkover, ComcastTina Williams, Pacific Gas & ElectricBob Young, Stockton Golf & Country Club

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

MEMBERSHIP SALESMatt Anderson 209.337.2723

SCAP COORDINATOR/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMikki Gilbert 209.337.2730

SCAP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTKarla Gonzalez 209.547.2770

SPECIAL EVENTS/ LEADERSHIP STOCKTON COORD.Timm Quinn 209.547.2960

RECEPTIONIST/ CUSTOMER SERVICEAlyssa McConnell 209.547.2770

PUBLISHER Stockton Chamber of Commerce 209.547.2770

GRAPHIC DESIGNNever Boring Design Associates 209.526.9136

ADVERTISING Richelle Alexander 209.988.5800

PRINTINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

MAILINGPre-Sort Center of Stockton 209.941.2467

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

209.547.2770 fax [email protected]

Greater

State of the City 2011 Is Just Around the Corner

If you are ever in doubt that we live in a great community,

just attend our annual State of the City 2011! This year, the State

of the City will be held May 19 at the Port of Stockton. 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 third State of the City, and

will share the many exciting ideas and visions she has to improve

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

visiting with exhibitors who are ready to answer any questions

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

Outback Steakhouse, and speaker presentations will follow. After

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

clients, friends, and neighbors to join you so you will all know the

reasons we are 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 209.547.2764 or

email [email protected].

Eventsby: Heidi Altamirano

Business Awards Nominations Needed

There is still time to nominate a deserving business person for

our June 2 Business Awards Luncheon! We are seeking nominations

in the categories of:

• Small Business Person of the Year

• Business Employee of the Year

• Business Manager of the Year

• Business Person of the Year

• P3 Stewardship Award

For nomination criteria and to download the nomination

forms, please visit the Chamber website, www.stocktonchamber.org

and click on the links under the digital version of Port O Call, or call

209.547.2770. Nomination deadline is April 8.

June Business Showcase & Tradeshow Mixer

Sign up now for the June 2 Business Showcase & Tradeshow

Mixer at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Boulevard. 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 209.547.2960 or email him at [email protected].

Platinum SponsorsA.G. Spanos CompaniesAmerican Medical

Response, Inc.Bank of Agriculture

& CommerceBig Valley Ford LincolnCalifornia Water

Service Co.Carpenters Local Union

152, Manteca City of StocktonDelta Sierra BeverageFinancial Center

Credit UnionGreen Team

San JoaquinGrupe Commercial

Company and CSU Stanislaus Stockton Center

Heald College Herum CrabtreeJ.R. Simplot CompanyNeumiller & BeardsleeMetro PCSPacific Records

Management

Port of StocktonSan Joaquin Building &

Construction Trades Council

San Joaquin County WorkNet

San Joaquin Partnership, Inc.

San Joaquin RTDSims Metal

Management St. Joseph’s

Medical CenterSt. Joseph’s

Occupational Health and Rehab Services

Stockton Conference & Visitors Bureau

Stockton Ports Baseball Club

Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey

The Record/San Joaquin Media Group

United Way of San Joaquin County

University of the Pacific

University of the Pacific - Eberhardt School of Business

Waste ManagementWells Fargo Advisors

Gold Sponsors Builders Exchange

of StocktonStockton East

Water District Silver Sponsors

Arturo Vera Photography

Devcon Construction, Inc.

UC MercedNational UniversityR & S Erection of

Stockton, Inc. Table Sponsor:

California Water Service Co.

NuStar Energy L.P.

State of the City 2011 Sponsors

(as of 3/2/11)

State of the City 2010Photo Courtesy of Arturo Vera Photography

APRIL2011 4www.stocktonchamber.org

www.visitstockton.org@ Heidi Altamirano: [email protected]

From Your President...by: Rick Goucher

From the desk of the “King of the Wok”:

April is a 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” two years ago at the

Asparagus Festival. Come Saturday, April 16, I will

be stationed at my usual post next to Frank Ferral

making the best asparagus pasta known to man

(or woman). For the past 25 years, the Asparagus

Festival has been one of the premier events in

Northern California, and this year’s event promises

to be no different. 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.

As most of you know by now, Forbes Magazine has

named Stockton as America’s Most Miserable Place

to Live. If you have not seen the five-star video by

Greg Basso, you can see it on the home page of the

Chamber website. I find it truly amazing that Forbes

can make this determination without spending any

time in Stockton. I would challenge them to send a

reporter to spend a week with me in Stockton and I

guarantee we would not be in the top 50 next year.

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, the

Asparagus Festival, or watching your Stockton

Thunder advance through the ECHL playoffs.

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce5

From Your CEO...by: Doug Wilhoit

April truly denotes the start of one of the most beautiful

seasons we have here in Stockton. I know we all look forward

to the warming of the air, the buds bursting, spring cleanup,

and most of all the Best in the West Food Fest, the 26th annual

Stockton Asparagus Festival to be held this year April 15-17.

The staff, board members, and the large number of committee

chairs have a supporting cast of over 5,000 volunteers, and have

been working for months to make sure this year is the best

ever. Right after the gates close at 7 p.m. on April 17, planning

will immediately start for next year. They will make sure the

festival that raises so much money for local charity, and helps the

community thumb their collective noses at the folks at Forbes

will always get better and better, and continue to do so much for

folks of Stockton and the region. In advance, thanks to all who

will work so hard to make this year great. I am looking forward to

seeing you all out there enjoying our No. 1 community event, and

at the same time knowing you are helping so many people in need.

As I noted above, the festival is really many, many people

working together as a family to get the job done. As in all families,

we have so many people we love and admire. We always hope for

happy and good times, but unfortunately some sadness enters into

the picture, sometimes when you least expect it. This happened

this year to our Asparagus Festival family, with the untimely

passing of Stockton Police Department Sgt. Jason Christensen

on Friday, February 25. Jason became a proud member of the

SPD in 1998, and for the last four years he has been the Event

Commander for the SPD. One of his major assignments and

accomplishments was the smooth running of the festival under

his command. He was a fine officer, man, father, and community

partner, and meant so much to all of us who had the good fortune

to know him and work with him. I personally had the honor of

knowing him since he was a youngster, since his mother, Claudia,

worked at the SPD when I did. She retired after 36 dedicated years

of service to the SPD and the people of Stockton. His father, Jim,

was a member of the Stockton Police Reserve, so the family all

served this community well. We all send our condolences to his

family and his fellow officers at the SPD. At the same time, we

want to let them know that he was such a big part of all our lives.

He shall always remain in our hearts along with the founders

of the festival, Gordon Medlin and Joe Travale, and the first

Asparagus Board President, Ed Coy, who sadly passed away March

1 and shall always be remembered for being a true Stocktonian!

You will probably have received this Port O Call before April

4, which is the day of our annual golf tournament, being held

this year at Brookside Golf and Country Club. I know from past

experience it is going to be a great day on the links, and thanks to

Brookside, our committee, sponsors, volunteers, and players for

helping to make it another successful tournament.

Start looking for information on our annual State of the City

to be held again, with a big thank you, at the Port of Stockton

on Thursday, May 19. Keep looking out for information and

opportunities on sponsorships, exhibitors and attendees on our

website www.stocktonchamber.org. And while on the topic of the

website, hopefully you are checking our Facebook section on our

continued on page 20


www.visitstockton.org

Leadership Stocktonby: Timm Quinn

Leadership Stockton

Community Serving Community Session

Leadership Level Sponsor: Financial Center Credit Union

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 to 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, and Gospel Center Rescue Mission.

Once the teams arrived at their host locations, they were given

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

hard all morning, the class met for a group lunch. After lunch,

President and CEO of the United Way of San Joaquin County,

Andy Prokop, talked to the class about his journey into the world

of nonprofits, and thanked the class for their commitment to the

community and their participation in Leadership Stockton. Andy

then spoke about all the great things United Way does for our

community 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

at each community-based organization with the other members of

the class. They used phrases such as eye-opening, deep respect, life

changing, better understanding, amazing, and extremely impressed

when speaking about their time spent at the various nonprofit agencies

serving our community. Most participants felt it was one of their

favorite sessions this year.

I would like to thank the following people for their contribution

to the success of this session: Andy Prokop and Donna Ng from the

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

facility; and to each hosting nonprofit director who helped make the

day so special: Lindy Turner (LS ’01), Uyen Do (LS ’08), Tim Viall (LS

’93), Edward Figueroa, John Reynolds, Kim Miller (LS ’09), and Joelle

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

Manteca 209-522-3271 • Sacramento 916-372-0707 • Fresno 559-233-0187 • Patterson 209-892-6294

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

Networking MixerMarch 3 at Lexington Waterfront Hotel

John Cammack, Karri Rivard , George Kaplanis

Zenet, Frank Lucas, Ginny Lucas

Shane Hamilton, Megan Cort, Jeff Shaw,

Matt Anderson

Wes Rhea, Pat Willis, Christopher Gamble

Daniel Corona, Angie Guzman, Brent Hipp,

Ann Johnston

Tim Aragon, Loralee McGaughey, Lawrence Borgens



Rabobank, N.A. is part of the Rabobank Group,

one of the safest banks in the world with a

110-year history of trustworthy service.

Rabobank. Let’s grow together.

Keep your finances safe and healthy

STOCKTON1889 W. March Lane(209) 870-32001547 E. March Lane(209) 870-2200

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Programs and Public Policy Department

Lead Executive Mike Dozier (at podium) moderates the first panel at REXPO VII

Exodie Roe with Congressman McNerney’s office drops off e-waste and Styrofoam at the REXPO VII

Lunch Keynote speaker Panama Bartholomy with the California Energy Commission at the REXPO VII

Attendees enjoy lunch at the REXPO VII Dan Durst displays at the REXPO VII

Attendees at REXPO VII enjoyed networking with green companies

The Officers, Board of Directors, members and staff of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce appreciate and thank all those who helped to make REXPO VII a huge success. Look forward to an even bigger and better REXPO VIII in 2012!


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

1-888-936-PLAN (7526) I www.hpsj.com

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- Serving San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced Counties

Eligibility guidelines apply and may be based in part on household income. Plan availability varies by county.

Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out

Don’t forget that from April 1-10, 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 featured in asparagus-related menu items at

participating restaurants throughout Stockton.

2011 menu offerings include asparagus pasta, garlic asparagus,

asparagus kimchee, deep-fried asparagus, asparagus mashed potatoes,

grilled asparagus, asparagus pizza, asparagus risotto, tempura-fried

asparagus, asparagus chowder, asparagus ravioli, asparagus enchiladas,

asparagus margaritas, and more.

Check out the participating restaurants and menu offerings at

www.DineOutStockton.com.

Show Your Stockton Pride!

Display your love for our great city proudly! “I

Love Stockton” stickers are currently available at the

Chamber office. These vinyl stickers, created by the

Stockton Conference & Visitors Bureau, will look

great on your car, office window, or wherever else you want to show

off your city pride. Stickers are only available for a limited time. Get

yours while they last!

Conference & Visitors Bureauby: Wes Rhea

A Unique Community Banking Experience

Member FDIC

www.bankbac.com

Claudia Cozad

[email protected]

Eddie Lira

[email protected]

We Help You Succeed


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

209.337.2721Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Stockton.CVB

New Members For more information on becoming a new member, please call Matt Anderson

at 209.547.2770. Please allow up to 90 days for your listing to show.


Commercial Cleaning

The Mint Clean Inc.115 N. Sutter

Stockton

Computer Consultants

Coneth Solutions574 Commerce Court

Manteca

www.coneth.com

Construction

Haggerty Construction3038 Seagull Lane

Stockton

Employment Temporary Service

Kelly Services1101 Sylvan Avenue, Suite A21

Modesto

www.kellyservices.com

Energy Products & Services

Holas Energeia3790 W. Benjamin Holt Drive, #7

Stockton

Equipment Sales & Service

Watts Equipment CA, Inc.1813 Moffat Boulevard

Manteca

www.wattsequipment.com

Event Planning

Q Productions LLC189 W. Adams Street

Stockton

www.qproductions.com

Insurance – Agents & Brokers

Stemler, McTighe, Lewis445 W. Weber Avenue, #200

Stockton

www.smlins.com

Organizational Services

San Joaquin Community Data Co-Op900 E. Oak Street, #310

Stockton

www.dataco-op.org

Public Relations

Ross & Associates1215 K Street

Sacramento

Screen Printing/Sportswear

Impact Promotions3233 Lance Drive, #A

Stockton

www.promotionsbyimpact.com

Service Organizations

Native TANF Program306 E. Main Street, Suite 300

Stockton

Shopping Centers

Excel Trust, LP10742 E. Trinity Parkway

Stockton

www.exceltrust.com

Storage Service

Storkwik Stockton, LLC2118 E. Charter Way

Stockton

www.storkwik.com

Title Companies

North American Title Company3520 Brookside Road, Suite 151

Stockton

www.nat.com

4917 Stoddard Road, Modesto, CA 95356(209) 545-7505 • www.huffcon.com

Retail Shopping Centers Senior Housing Medical Offices Industrial Facilities

Office Buildings Private Schools Churches Restaurants Hospitality

. . .. . . .

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Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

1.866.844.7500www.ovcb.com

Oak Valley offers the perfect blend of personal service and modern technology to meet your every need.

Let us make your business, our business.

We Mean Business

Arlene & Jeff Francis with June Lopez, Escalon Branch Manager, 209.821.3080

“Oak Valley has first-class service. The employees are

friendly, responsive and care about our needs.”

– Arlene & Jeff Francis, P&L Concrete



The Stockton Asparagus Festival Is All About Giving Back

By Claudia Newcorn

COVER STORY

Between April 15 and 17, nearly

100,000 guests will pour through

Stockton’s Downtown Marina district,

enjoying the Asparagus Festival that has

earned the title “The Best of the West

Food Fest!” from Sunset Magazine.

Extensive entertainment, vendors,

activities, events, and of course the

ubiquitous asparagus, have made this

award-winning annual event a family

destination since its inception in 1986.

But the real ‘spear-it’ behind the

event, the magic ingredient that fuels its

success, is the simply incredible amount

of volunteer effort that goes into making

it happen, all driven by the festival’s

mission to donate the event proceeds

to local nonprofits and help make a

difference in the community.

Working Together For The

Greater Good

“Volunteers are the workforce

of the festival,” explains Executive

Director Kate Post. “There are over

6,000 volunteers representing over 120

local nonprofits. We couldn’t do the

festival without them. When you see

workers serving Asparagus Alley dishes

or your favorite beverage, those are our

volunteer organizations. Many of these

‘Spear-It Staff Volunteer’ organizations

have volunteered since the very first

festival in 1986. So by now, in our 26th

year, we maintain well trained groups.

We do keep a waiting list just in case we

create a new position or lose a group.”

The Asparagus Festival is the largest

charitable festival in California. The

2010 event attracted 85,000 people, and

Help Benefit Local Charities!Come for the food and stay for the fun!

Enjoy the best locally grown asparagus in

the world, grown right here in our Delta.

And remember every bite you take benefits

over 100 local charities.

Dates: April 15-17

Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Website: www.asparagusfest.com

Tickets:

Adults (18-59): $12

College Students with Proper ID: $7

Teens (13-17): $7

Children 12 and Under: FREE with paying

adults

Seniors (60 and older): $7

Active Military Cardholder (with I.D)

Discount : $7

Highlights:

Saturday

8 a.m. – Michelob Ultra Great Spear-It Run

12 p.m. – Deep Fried Asparagus Eating

Competition, sponsored by Bud Light

1 p.m. – Department of Rock, best rock

music of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond

4:30 p.m. – Smash Mouth

Sunday

1 p.m. – Life in the Fastlane, an Eagles

tribute band

4:30 p.m. – Little Texas, an American

country music band founded in Nashville


raised $361,574 for 100 local nonprofit

organizations. Festival volunteers

contributed over 29,000 hours to make

this distribution possible. Over $5.1

million has been contributed back to

local charities since it began in 1986.

The monies are presented at a Volunteer

Celebration in June.

The Asparagus Festival’s recipients

span a diverse breadth of organizations

and charities that reach out to many

segments of the community. Among

the impressive list of charities

that benefited in 2010 were the

American Heart Association,

Boy Scout troops, Big Brothers Big

Sisters, Junior League of Stockton, Last

Chance Recovery, Pioneer Little League,

Stockton Art League, United Cerebral

Palsy, United Way, and Wagner Holt

Parents for Science Camp.

Success Through Organization

Behind all the fun and eats is the fact

that organizers approach the Asparagus

Festival as a business, with clear

objectives and a roadmap for success.

“We give more ‘green’ to charity

than any other food festival,” Post says.

“It has become a positive moniker for

our city. We decorate and celebrate

with street banners, billboards, and a

multimedia ad campaign that showcases

our civic pride. The International

Festivals & Events Association

estimated the 2010 economic impact at

$19,035,000. Corporate sponsorships

are an important part of the financial

success of the festival and currently we

are in a sold out position with a waiting

list for 2012 festival openings.”

“It’s like a well-oiled machine,”

explains ‘Head Spear’ Andy Prokop,

who has been the Director of Asparagus

Alley for 13 years, and serves as one

of several co-chairs for the event. “We

are all working together for a common

cause, and the festival has become a well

put-together organization that works

efficiently. We have job descriptions,

we have recipes, we have everything in

writing. There are templates for the floor

plan. It’s all very buttoned up.”

Volunteers are the workforce of the festival...

continued on page 17

Prokop, CEO of the United Way of

San Joaquin, brings over 30 years of food

industry expertise to his Head Spear

role. He and believes that because guests

know that the money raised is going

to help people, it adds to the pleasure

of the event. “They have a wonderful

time. There’s something for kids of all

ages to enjoy, music for all tastes, and

unbelievable food experiences. But they

also know that the end result of all this is

that it will help somebody’s life get better

because of all the charities that benefit.

This also helps to attract even more

volunteers. It really is about giving back to

the community. From Day 1, our Board

of Directors constantly emphasize

that our mission is to spend as little

money as possible and raise as much

money as we can for local charities. We

never lose sight of this.”

The event takes a year of planning,

10 days of set up, and three days of

operation. Prokop shares that the day

after the festival wraps up, an evaluation

is conducted of what worked and where

there are opportunities for improvement.



COVER STORY

Growing the Green

It is evident that this formula

works at many levels. Prokop says that

when he first took over as Head Spear,

there were 24 fryers and hundreds of

volunteers. Today, he oversees nearly

4,000 volunteers in Asparagus Alley

manning 40 fryers. Guests eagerly

wait for the delectable deep-fried

asparagus, asparagus ice cream, and

an extraordinary array of foods that

creatively incorporate asparagus.

In 2010, over 36,000 pounds of

asparagus were happily devoured by

guests. From deep-fried asparagus

(40,000 orders), to asparagus tri-tip

sandwiches (9,000 orders), asparagus

burritos (4,000 orders), and pasta dishes

(8,500 orders), the green machine

operated at full bore. New this year is the

Foster Farms aspara-chicken wrap, and

like everything else, this new product was

carefully evaluated before adding it to the

menu. “We paneled it and got outstanding

response,” Prokop says. “It’s a large-sized

portion, people said it’s a lot of food for

the money, and it tastes great.” All 6,000

volunteers will get a free one for lunch.

And then there is all the

entertainment, with the waterfront

serving as the stunning backdrop. “The

entertainment venues at the festival

are unique and professional,” Post says.

“We have everything for the family: Sea

Lion Encounter, Velocity Circus,

Skyy Dogs USA, and Tyson the

Skateboarding Bulldog, and much

more. You have to see the Deep-Fried

Eating Competition on Saturday. Seven of

the top “eaters” in the world will compete

including No. 1 Joey Chestnut. People can

check out all the headline entertainment

on our website, asparagusfest.com.There

are 200 booths to shop and eat, Celebrity

Kitchen, Home Expo and Small Business

Expo. New to the festival this year is the

Art & Wine shopping area with over 100

vendors. There is so much to see and do

you can’t cover it in one day!” Post notes

that guests can park at the Shima Parking

lot at Delta College (Saturday and Sunday

only) and take the bus, which will drop

them off at a special entrance, and save

them from searching for parking.

“Every year, we make it better,”

Prokop concludes. “It’s really about the

passion of helping others. It does the

heart good, knowing that by volunteering

a little time – and having fun while doing

it – you are going to have either a direct

or indirect effect on somebody living

better, and that the money you’re helping

to raise is going to improve and save lives.

Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of the

Asparagus Festival?”


Leandro Vicuña has joined Community

Bank of San Joaquin as Vice President and

Senior Trust Officer. Working with the bank’s

Wealth Management team, Vicuña provides

comprehensive trust and investment services.

Locally owned and locally managed, Community

Bank of San Joaquin offers a variety of business and personal

banking services. www.cbsjbank.com.

The Preventing Sexual Harassment Seminar, on April 21, is

presented by Gary Waters Management Consulting, Inc. at The

University of the Pacific’s Office for Professional and Continuing

Education. Visit www.garywaters.net for additional information and

registration, or call 209.815.9760.

The Stockton Women’s Network presents CHARACTER COUNTS!

“The Six Pillars of Character” on April 6 at Stockton Golf & Country

Club. For reservations, visit www.stocktonwomensnetwork.org or

call 209.472.0359.

The Haggin Museum presents “Fairy Tale Art: Illustrations from

Children’s Books”, scheduled to open April 21 and run through June

19. The exhibition features 59 original illustrations from well-loved

classic fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding

Hood, as well as modern variations on traditional tales. Visit www.

hagginmuseum.org for more information.

Pak Mail Centers of America, Inc. named the Quail Lakes Center

Pak Mail owners, Chuck and Molly Argus, its Most Valuable

Players (MVP) for 2010. This prestigious award is memorialized

by the presentation of “The Franny,” the International Franchise

Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award. Contact them at

209.478.9827 or visit them at the Quail Lakes Shopping Center.

News BriefsSubmission Guidelines: News Briefs must be submitted before the first 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.

CentralValleyJobs.com, in partnership with CommonWealth

Modesto, is proud to introduce IgniteU, a new section of

CentralValleyJobs.com that focuses on internship and job shadowing

opportunities. IgniteU’s mission is to connect students and local

businesses, and to help students gain experience and ignite their

careers in the Central Valley. Call 209.551.5627 for information.

Your Chamber announces a new member-to-member benefit.

Because of the strength of our collective members, we have arranged

for a discounted 401k/Profit Sharing program. It offers significantly

lower fees, less staff time required, fiduciary risk mitigation, and

no audit for larger plans. For more information, plan to attend an

informational workshop on Thursday, April 28, from 8-8:45 a.m. at

the Chamber conference room. Or to request a proposal for your

firm, contact Dennis Goldstrand of Goldstrand Planning Group at

209.472.7000 or [email protected].

4.30.11


CEO Cont’d from pg. 6

site. Matt Anderson and Wes Rhea are working very hard to make

this another tool for members and the community alike. And,

mentioning Wes, please go to his site, www.visitstockton.org, so

you are in the know on what is going on.

I also want to give you a quick update on the prison

hospital matter. I have been on the selection committee, as a

nonvoting member, for the first two bid packages. They include

the infrastructure, electric fencing, and guard towers in package

one, and the buildings in package two. I can honestly say that

Chris Meyer and Mike Meredith, who are the men in charge of

the construction for California Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation (CDCR), have stressed over and over again the

importance of following the agreement that has been hammered

out, especially in the area of local hires and sub-contractors. All

the general contractors and their teams understood that, and

during the RFQ process each made that a very visible part of

their presentations. The final three in each bid package will be

put to the test again in April and May when the final selections

are made. Also, the demolition bid winner will be announced

soon. There were a number of firms at the walkthrough on the bid

package in January. It is moving along, and I’m very proud of the

partnership that has grown between the community and CDCR.

Look for further updates and information on our website, www.

stocktonchamber.org. You can find more information on who the

finalists are, so if you have a company that fits in the bid package

you can contact them.



CalendarAPRIL 2011

Highlights4 Golf Tournament – 11 a.m.

@ Brookside Country Club

7 Networking Mixer – 5:15-7:15 p.m.

@ Bob Hope Theatre

also don’t miss...5/5 Networking Mixer – 5-7 p.m.

@ Chitivas Salsa and Sports Bar

Waterfront Warehouse, 445 W. Weber Avenue

Golf Tournament – 11 a.m. @ Brookside Country Club4

Networking Mixer – 5:15-7:15 p.m. @ Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main Street7

Green Team San Joaquin – 9 a.m @ Chamber Conference Room13

Liaison Committee Meeting – 12 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room11

Manufacturers Industrial Distribution Roundtable – 7:30 a.m.

@ TBA14

New Member Meeting – 10:30 a.m @ Chamber Conference Room7

Government Relations Council – 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room8

Leadership Stockton Health Care Session – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. @ University of the Pacific8

Asparagus Festival15-17

Executive Committee Meeting – 7 a.m. @ Stockton Golf & Country Club20

Government Relations Council – 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room22

Chamber Board of Directors Meeting – 4 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room28

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce21 Contact the Chamber at 209.547.2770 for more info*

A Program of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

Schedule a REACON Appointment Today !(209) 547-2763 or e-mail [email protected]

Port O Call - April 2011

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Transcript of Port O Call - April 2011