Brookside Monthly Magazine April 2013

APRIL 2013 | VOL. 8 | ISSUE 4

>>editor’s note

ADDRESS 94 W. Castle St., Suite #B Stockton, CA 95204

PHONE 209.932.9252TOLL FREE 1.888.289.0521

FAX 1.866.298.0408WEB www.BrooksideMonthly.com

PUBLISHER Shawn Crary

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENTMitzi Stites

Managing Editor

Alan Naditz Staff Writer & Copy Editor

Gene Beley Contributing Writer

Bernadine Chapman-Cruz Contributing Writer

Paul Grant Contributing Writer

Kim Horg Contributing Writer

Francis Novero Contributing Writer

Gayle Romasanta Contributing Writer

Keith Wilcox Contributing Writer

CREATIVE DEPARTMENTShawn Crary Art Director

Louie Ambriz Junior Graphic Designer,

Photographer & Web Development

Matt Vincent Web Development

SUPPORTING STAFFCameron Crary and Alec Fielding

Circulation

MARKETING DEPARTMENTNoel Fielding

Advertising Director

Rachel Castillo Marketing Consultant

Memri Johnson Marketing Consultant

Boo Mariano-Junqueiro Marketing Consultant

Crystal Salvador Marketing Consultant

Annette Soriano Marketing Consultant

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/PAYABLE Ernie Gallardo Office Manager

CONTACT US To submit advertisements & artwork

[email protected]

To submit press releases [email protected]

Advertising inquires [email protected]

Accounts payable/receivable [email protected]

Big Monkey Group PublicationsBrookside Monthly | Lodi Monthly

Manteca Monthly | On the Mile Magazine Spanos Park Monthly | Bonnie Magazine

The Brookside Monthly magazine is published once a month and direct-mailed to homes in and around the Stockton community of Brookside. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of copy or comments submitted to Big Monkey Group LLC., and or Brookside Monthly magazine which may be edited for clarity and length. ©2013 BIG MONKEY GROUP LLC

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brookside monthly magazine | APRIL 2013 | 3

ON

LIN

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A Season of High Spirit (and Spear-it)

It’s spring and the weather is absolutely beautiful. It’s one of the reasons I love living in San Joaquin County. It’s also one of the main reasons we haven’t moved outside of California. When I talk to my family in Virginia and they tell me

it is raining and 55 degrees, I tell them how sorry I am to hear that when it is 75 with a mild breeze here. Spring is my favorite time of year; I see it as a transition season, between the cold winter and the hot summer. Now that my family is finally getting used to the time change we are embracing all the positives that it has to offer. When the sun stays up longer at night, we can take advantage of that by enjoying dinner on the patio or sitting outside talking and listening to music.

You know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, my family is spending a lot of time outside planting flowers and working in our garden. It is something that we do every year. There is noth-ing better than to look outside and see flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors blooming all over the yard. And, nothing tastes better than eating vegetables out of your garden. When the seasons change, so does the variety of fruits and vegetables that show up on our kitchen table.

The smells and taste of fresh fruits and vegetables are always a little sweeter when they come from your own backyard. It seems I can never keep enough strawberries in the house; I still need to buy extra, even though we grow our own.

Asparagus is a favorite vegetable in our house, too. This is great because San Joaquin is one of the nation’s largest suppliers of asparagus. With the month of April comes the famous Asparagus Festival, which begins Friday, April 26. If you’re unable to attend the festival, you can enjoy asparagus through The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out, where local restaurants create special dishes featuring the tasty green spears.

This year, Big Monkey Group will be in charge of the nationally publicized Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Competition. We will weigh out the fried asparagus, set up the eating area with the food and drink, and provide contestants with additional plates as they eat while the 10-minute clock counts down. We’re not only excited to do this but very honored to have been asked by the aspara-staff!

Did you know that the Asparagus Festival is the largest charitable festival in the state? In 2012, nearly $315,000 was split among 129 nonprofit groups right here in San Joaquin County. Go I invite you to visit the festival and have a great time while supporting a “bunch” of our local nonprofits!

Whatever you do this month, go out and enjoy it!

Mitzi Stites | Managing Editor | [email protected]

>>on the cover Festival highlights include the Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel Hole in One, a Farmer’s Market, the

Asparagus Eating Competition, The Great Spear-it Run, Velocity Circus, the Skyy Dog Arena and top-notch entertainment such as Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Great White, Night Ranger, Foghat and Gin Blossoms. Not featured on our cover, but certainly not to be missed, is Asparagus Alley, where you can fill up on fried asparagus, asparagus ice cream, and new this year...the asparabery shortcake.

4 | APRIL 2013 | brookside monthly magazine


>>feature story

Continued on page 6

Back in the Spear-ItNew look, familiar feel to the

2013 Stockton Asparagus FestivalBy Alan Naditz | Staff Writer

There’s a circus coming to town – or at least, that’s how Kate Post likes to think of it, whenever it’s time for the annual Stockton Asparagus Festival.

Later this month, for about a week, downtown Stockton will be filled with trucks, people and, literally, tons of asparagus, as preparations begin for the 2013 festival, set for April 26-28. It’s a scene right out of “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

“There are trucks everywhere,” said Post, who is the festival’s director. “Our load-in takes all day. We start on April 17 and don’t finish until April 25. It really is like the circus coming to town.”

It wasn’t always like this. “In the old days, we asked for 1,000 pounds of asparagus for donation from the California Asparagus Association. And back then, we thought that was an unbelievable amount of asparagus,” Post recalls. “Nowadays, we’re buying 36,000 pounds – from multiple, local growers – for the fair’s run. We used to have only local people attending; now we have people from as far away as New Orleans. They know where the best asparagus is.”

It’s a huge event in more ways than one, organizers say. There’s the eco-nomic element: According to Wes Rhea, president of the Asparagus Festival Board of Directors and executive director of the Stockton Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, the festival pays out more than $1 million to local vendors to produce the festival each year. Then there are the funds that the festival gives to area nonprofits – which in 2012 totaled nearly $315,000, split among 129 nonprofit groups – which are essential for their annual success. In most cases, this money is the groups’ main fundraiser for the year. “These funds would not necessarily be replaced if the festival was not here,” Rhea said. “[And] of course, there is the money the visitors drop in Stockton when they come to the festival for gas, hotels, dining, shopping. The festival is good business for the county.”

Getting OrganizedMuch of the fair’s success stems from the more than 5,000 volunteers

who work the festival, handling everything from vendor sales to site organi-zation and cleanup. Volunteers from participating nonprofits are “paid” an

Chef of the Fest. Back for a second year is Chef Mark Berkner, owner of Plymouth, Calif.’s renowned Taste restau-rant. Berkner, along with San Joaquin Delta College Culinary Arts Program students, will coordinate a series of cooking demonstra-tions, as well as open competitions between professional chefs and students for cash prizes. The volunteer hours and dividend earned by the culinary students helps support Delta’s culinary arts program.

Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Competition. Eight-time winner Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will be back to defend his title. Chestnut ate 8.1 pounds of deep-friend asparagus spears in a mere 10 minutes in 2012. He also holds the world record, set in Stockton in 2011 (9.3 pounds in the same 10 minutes). “This event was Joey’s first eating competition,” Post said. “That year (2003), we prob-ably had 12 people watching. Now that he’s a national icon, he’s become a fair favorite…more than 6,000 people came to see him last year. They really love to watch him compete.” And compete, and eat, he does: The San Jose resident has only lost the asparagus competition once, finishing second in 2009 – and he’s since claimed world titles in eating competitions for hot dogs, chicken wings, pizza slices, hamburgers, pork ribs, corned beef sandwiches and matzo balls, among others.

“I feel really good about the 2013 festival. We have such a great lineup

of entertainment, and a new asparagus dessert dish, and 5,000 dedicated volunteers that make each year so

much fun! With great weather and an improving economy, we could

break records!”

— Wes Rhea, president of the Asparagus Festival Board of Directors


>>feature story

Continued from page 5hourly rate, which is later awarded to the nonprofit in a lump sum, ac-cording to Post. In 2012, volunteers logged in 33,218 hours, resulting in an hourly rate of $9.48 per hour per volunteer, she said.

This effectively makes the festival the county’s largest employer during the fair’s run, and is also the state’s largest charitable food festival, officials note. Since the event’s launch in 1986, more than $5.8 million has been con-tributed to participating charities.

Not surprisingly, many of the chari-ties involved in the festival return every year. There’s actually a waiting list to join, according to Leslie Snyder, the event’s volunteer coordinator.

“The main reason for local nonprofits to become involved is to raise funds for their organization,” Snyder said. “But it is also a wonderful way to get involved in a great community event.”

The best way to get on the wait-ing list is to send a request letter on nonprofit letterhead to the Stock-ton Asparagus Festival office, she said. Snyder will go to the group requests on the list to fill new spots as they become available. Interested persons may contact Snyder at [email protected].

Some of the existing groups are also looking for help. For example, Stockton’s Emergency Food Bank

and Family Services seeks volunteers to help with its participation in the festival, primarily in preparing deep-fried asparagus. Interested persons should contact Angela King at (209) 464-7369 or [email protected].

“We never want for volunteer organizations,” Post said. “And every year, we try to stay true to the purpose of the festival – to assist nonprofit associations – while mak-ing it new and exciting to the people who attend it.”

New to Town – Sort ofSeveral new items will be part

of the Asparagus Festival this year, although they’ll have a familiar ring to them. In one case, people may think they’ve just seen him in Stockton – and they’d be right.

For Chris “The Stunt Dog Guy”

The Great Spear-it Run. Same event, new date: The festival’s annual 5K to 5-mile marathon through downtown Stockton is back to a Sunday start, after several years on Saturday. “Saturday is just too big of a day, with the eating competition and other events at the fair going on,” Post said. “The race got lost in the shuffle. We think the event can better stand alone on a Sunday morn-ing.” Registration forms are available at www.asparagusfest.com or www.active.com, and may be submitted online, by mail, or at Fleet Feet Stockton, 277 Lincoln Center North, Stockton. Online deadline is Wednesday, April 24; later registrants must apply in person at a Fleet Fleet store or on race day. More information is available at www.asparagusfest.com.

Velocity Circus. An all-new acrobatic exhibition featuring a Mongolian contortionist, an aerial “tissue” artist, a sus-pended hoop artist, an expert in rope manipulation, and more.

Perondi, the festival represents a homecoming. The Stockton native, Brookside Christian High School graduate and Delta College alum is thrilled to be back at the place where he got his start as a dog trainer. “I was involved in the first two years of the (downtown-based) festival with Ray (‘Skyy Dogs’) Masel,” Perondi said. “I did shows with him, then I was full-time on my own, traveling across the nation. This year, Ray called me up and asked if I was interested in teaming up for old time’s sake. As it turned out, I have my wedding to plan this year, and I wanted to be able to spend more time at home. So I thought coming back here to do a show would be fun.”

Perondi’s shows feature 10 of his athletic canines who high-jump, Frisbee-catch, and perform other extreme stunts and tricks. “Rocking Ray” and his “Amazing Skyy Dogs” are also on hand, performing daily at Skyy Dog Arena.

Now a French Camp resident, Perondi regularly spends almost half a year on tour with his dogs – all of which are rescues from area animal shelters – visiting venues such as state fairs, national parks and char-ity fundraisers. But he did recently perform a one-hour show at the Bob Hope Theater earlier in the year, which served as a warm-up to his return this month.

He’s amazed at how the popular-ity of canine stunt shows has grown over the years. “The first year I was [at the Asparagus Festival], we only had 1-2 dogs,” Perondi recalls. “This year, I’ll be there with all my dogs, coordinating the show, interacting with the audience. That’s my thing, I enjoy it. And the audience – which is giant now compared to back then – definitely loves it.”

Asparagus Alley, the festival’s main eating area, will feature a “new” item

as well: “Asparaberry shortcake,” a combination of asparagus tips, straw-berries, whipped cream and bananas. This item actually made the rounds at the fair a number of years ago, according to Post. Need something to wash that shortcake down with? Try the “lime strawmarita,” which is basi-cally a lime and strawberry margarita. “And we have our classic festival margarita, which we sell thousands of every year,” Post said. “After all, it’s all about the food and the beverage offered, you know.”

Meanwhile, the Arts and Wine Show will feature product from a few new wineries, via the Lodi Wine-grape Commission. Watts Winery and Van Ruiten Family Winery have already committed to the festival; at press time at least two more exhibi-tors were being sought. Interested persons can contact Asparagus Festival Arts and Wine Show Direc-tor Nick Elliott at (209) 644-3747 or [email protected], or visit www.asparagusfest.com.

All the various attractions are expected to help the festival top the 100,000 mark in attendance for a 10th year since its move to downtown in 2004. The 2012 event drew 104,000; the all-time record is 110,000 in 2008. Post expects the 2013 total to fall somewhere in-between. “We’re hoping for some pleasantly mild weather, probably in the 70s to 80s,” she said. “That should really bring people out here to have a great time.”

Rhea agrees. “I feel really good about the 2013 festival,” he said. “We have such a great lineup of entertainment, and a new asparagus dessert dish, and 5,000 dedicated volunteers that make each year so much fun! With great weather and an improving economy, we could break records!”

A complete rundown of the festival can be found at www.asparagusfest.com

Go to the festival for FREE!15 lucky readers will receive 2 tickets: visit our facebook page at

www.facebook.com/BigMonkeyGroup and click “LIKE,” then post what your favorite part of the festival is.

Winners will be chosen at random.



>>around brookside

Calling all Mallards....Quack, Quack, Quack

The Mallards of Brookside Swim Team will have its registration day at Brook-side Pool on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. On that morning, all new swimmers will need to pass a water safety test of swimming 25 yards on their own. Stroke tech-nique is not required to join the team. Please join for a season of swim, fun, and team spirit. Any questions, please contact team reps Tammy Gill-Voyer at [email protected] or Carrie Spencer at [email protected].

Lincoln Unified School DistrictSpring Break is from Monday, April 1

through Friday, April 5. STAR testing will be given from Monday, April 15 through Tues-day, April 30. Lincoln Council PTA, Adminis-tration Appreciation Dinner and Tod A. Anton Awards Night is Wednesday, April 24, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sierra Middle School.

Claudia Landeen Elementary School

There is an ice cream social on Thursday, April 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Returning Stu-dent letters will go home on Thursday, April 11 for kindergarten through fifth grade students.

Don Riggio Elementary SchoolReturning Student letters will go home on

Thursday, April 11 for kindergarten through fifth grade students.

Brookside Elementary SchoolThe California Standards Tests will be

administered to all second through eighth grade students the weeks of Monday, April 15 through Friday April 26, thank you for having your children to school on time and well-fed each day. If you wish to review the mate-rial to be tested with your child, you can find questions from previous years’ tests on the California Department of Education website at cde.ca.gov. Go to ‘Testing and Accountability’ then to ‘Standardized Testing and Report-ing (STAR)’, then to ‘Program Resources’ and finally to ‘California Standards Test (CST) Released Questions’ to locate the practice questions for each grade level. The county-wide Math Olympiad for 4th-6th graders will be held Saturday, April 27, at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. PTSA will meet on Friday, April 12, at 8:45 a.m. in the staff lounge

Lincoln High SchoolRegistration for the 2013-14 school year

begins on Wednesday, April 10. You can reg-ister Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to noon, in the school’s registrar’s office.

Current students and students who grad-uated last year in need of their transcripts can bring a legal size (9.5 by 4) envelope to the Registrar’s office, addressed to the college, with current postage. Do not put a return address on the envelope; LHS will complete it. Transcripts are free to current students and for one year after graduation. After one year, official transcripts are $2 each and can be paid for with cash or mon-ey order payable to LHS. They do not accept personal checks or credit cards. Transcripts can be ordered through the Registrar’s of-fice at LHS. Requests are usually processed within 48 hours after being received. Please call ahead at (209) 953-8915 if picking up in person. Photo ID required for pick up.

LHS Leo’s Club Parking Lot Sale is Satur-day, April 27 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Senior Grad Information Assembly is Wednesday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

The spring musical, “Legally Blond,” will have performances on Thursday, April 25, Sat-urday, April 27, Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m.

Lincoln High School Grad NightOn Wednesday, June 5 Lincoln High

School will honor it’s 500 + graduating seniors at the annual Safe and Sober Grad Night Celebration. This event provides a supervised, safe environment for the graduating seniors to celebrate. As part of graduation night, they are requesting the

support from the entire community. They are in need of small and large door prizes and financial support from local mer-chants, parents and friends. They are ask-ing for prize donations that will appeal to the grads beyond grad night. College/Dorm apartment needs, travel needs, items for recreation; gift cards and cash donations. If you would like to support this event please contact one of the co-chairs of this event. Cathy Getty at [email protected], Lisa Gildea at [email protected] and Kristin Tokunaga at [email protected].

Presentation Elementary School

Shrimp Feed 2013 is Saturday, April 20, in the Presentation Parish Community Center. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with barbecue oysters, appetizers, wine tasting and spe-cialty drinks. Dinner is at 7 p.m. and includes shrimp, pesto pasta, salad, bread and dessert. There will also be a raffle, silent and live auc-tions. Ticket are $50 per person and you need to RSVP by Tuesday, April 14. To purchase tickets and for more information, call Roger Slingerman at (209) 403-8878. All proceeds will benefit Presentation Parish School.

St. Mary’s High SchoolStudents will be on Easter Break from

Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5. School resumes on Monday, April 8. There will be a cheer clinic on Sunday, April 14 and Monday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Class elections are Tuesday, April 16. The Junior/Senior Prom is Saturday, April 20. The Heritage Festival is Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27. The Red Rhino Walk-A-Thon is Sunday, April 28.

Local School Happenings

Enjoy a Tasteful Evening Come enjoy an evening of wine, cheese

and olive oil tastings, along with appetizers and a no-host bar on Thursday, April 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brookside Country Club. This free event is to raise money for the “Let’s Face it Together” foundation. This foundation will raise funds for patients in the community who are uninsured or underin-sured and have suffered physical trauma. The evening will also include raffle prizes and a silent auction. For more information, visit www.lfitfoundation.org , or call Aleshia at (408) 406-1361.

The Time is Right to Buy a Beautiful Brookside Home

For the month of February in Brook-side, 22 homes were for sale, 29 were pending, 16 sold, 5 expired, withdrew or cancelled. For the properties sold, the average days on the market were

29, average dollar per square foot was $146.47, median sold price was $269,000 and the median size was 2,162 square feet. Properties cur-rently available are $316,900 to $2.25 million. For more important market information, call Grupe Realtors’ Bev Smith at (209) 482-0679, or Edie Boogusch at (209) 403-3186. Current market data taken from Metrolist.

Membership has its BenefitsMembers of the Brookside Country Club

will have several social events this month. On Friday, April 12 there will be Live Music & Happy Hour. On Sunday, April 14 there will be the Friends and Couples Golf Tourna-ment. The Ladies’ Night Out & Fashion Show is Thursday, April 18 and on Tuesday, April 30 members can participate in the Brookside Culinary Academy No. 4. For more informa-tion, visit www.brooksidegolf.net.


>>around brookside

Read All About ItThe Great Book Challenge.

Calling all kids in the fifth to eighth grade! Do you love to read? The Troke library will have a yearlong book challenge. Each month Troke will choose a different type of book to read. One month they might read a mystery, the next month perhaps a Coretta Scott King Award win-ner. They will discuss the books on GoodReads. Every few months they will meet to work on book activities. Books and a schedule are available for pick up at the

Troke information desk.Paws for Reading. Saturday,

April 20 at 11 a.m., children will be able to read a book or have a book read to them, along with a friendly dog.

The Margaret Troke Library is at 502 W. Ben Holt Drive and is open Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call (209) 937-8221.

The cast of “Satisfaction” joins the Symphony for an evening of songs that celebrate 50 years of the Rolling Stones.

Satisfaction ‘Pops’ StyleJoin the Stockton Symphony in its last concert of the 2012-2013 sea-

son: the music of the Rolling Stones, featuring the cast of “Satisfaction” on Saturday, April 27 at A.G. Spanos Center, University of the Pacific.

Can’t always get what you want? Oh, yes, you can – if what you want is a colorful performance of fun and familiar rock and roll! Channeling Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the cast joins the Stockton Symphony, and showcases the most authentic cast and costuming audiences have ever witnessed.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the concert is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22 to $60 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the box office at (209) 951-0196.

Batter up to Help Little LeagueTyler Little League will have a pancake breakfast fundraiser

on Saturday, April 27 from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Location is to be determined. For more information on this fundraiser, practices and games, visit www.hoovertyler.com.


>>community briefs

Museum Road TripCelebrating the words of John

Steinbeck—one of America’s most honored writers—the Haggin Museum will travel to the National Steinbeck Center in his hometown of Salinas on Saturday, April 20.

The Center includes exhibits, rare artifacts and themed theaters show-casing his major works, including East of Eden, Cannery Row, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath and much more. Explore the timeless stories that continue to inspire read-ers of all ages.

This visit will include lunch at Steinbeck’s family home, which is a short distance from the museum. Original furniture from the Steinbeck home is on display, including the headboard of the bed where the author was born. There will be time to visit the “Best Cellar” gift shop in the basement of the home. Cost is $90 for museum members and $115 for non-members. The price includes transportation, admission, lunch and driver’s tip.

For more information, contact tour leader Beverly Fitch McCarthy at (209) 463-6957. For reservations, contact Merylene Marengo at (209) 940-6311.

Health and Vision Fair Have your vision and blood

pressure checked at the sixth annual Health and Vision Fair. Get a diabetes screening along with tons of community service information, goodies, giveaways and just a lot of fun for the family. This event is Sat-urday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Im-paired. Bring your family and friends. For more information, call (209) 466- 3836.

Super WHY Live “Super WHY Live” will stop at

the Bob Hope Theatre on April 5, taking kids and parents on a live reading adventure, traveling inside a book to find the answer to the question, “Who has the greatest super power in the world?” The show is uplifting, entertaining, and educational. It features kids’ favorite literacy-powered super heroes: Alpha Pig with “Alphabet Power,” Wonder Red with “Word Power,” Princess Presto with “Spelling Power,” Super Why with the “Power to Read,” and their puppy pal Woofster. For an extra-special experience, “You’ve Got

the Power!” Party Packages offer premium seats, and a meet and greet with your favorite characters after the show. Tickets range from $22.50 to $47.50; additional fees may apply. For more information, visit www.stocktonlive.com.

Get Gardening Tips from the Pros

The California Native Plant Society and the Oak Grove Nature Center are sponsoring a native gardening day on Satur-day, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton. Drop in to see, learn, and perhaps purchase native California flora.

Need tips on how to plan your California native garden? Come see a presentation by local land-scape designer Nadia Zane. Top-ics include site evaluation, plant grouping by water, light, and soil requirements, and examples of native plant gardens. Presenta-tions are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

A limited number of easy-to-grow plants will be available for purchase.

For more information about this event and plant pre-orders, phone (209) 477-3966. Admis-sion is free to the public, but there is a $6 per vehicle parking fee.

Sail Into Opening DayThe annual boat parade celebrat-

ing the opening day of yachting season on the Delta is scheduled for Saturday, April 13. This event is for the whole family and is open to the public. Boaters are encouraged to make their reservations now to watch the parade from the docks at the Stockton Marina. For more information, call (209) 462-4200.

Have a Taste for EducationSince 1999 Vincent Shalvey

Academy (VSA) has provided an unsurpassed education to San Joaquin County students. VSA is ranked among the top 10 California Charter Schools by the Center on Educational Governance at the USC Rossier School of Education.

On Friday, April 19, the academy will hold its spring fundraiser at Hutchins Street Square Community Center, Kirst Hall, 125 S. Hutchins St. in Lodi. There will be a tasting event featuring wine tasting,


beer tasting, olive oil tasting, appetizers and desserts donated by local companies.

Tickets are $35 per person until Friday, April 12 and $45 per person at the door. Individuals who do not wish to participate in wine or beer tasting may buy “non-alcoholic” tickets for $20 per person until Friday, April 12 and $30 per person at the door.

The event will also have a live auction, silent auction and raffle. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tasting takes place from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The auctions and raffle will commence at 9:30 p.m.

Nature Nights at the ParkJoin Oak Grove Regional Park for

an educational program presented by University of the Pacific Dr. Lee Christianson about mammals native to California’s Central Valley and the

valley oak woodlands of Oak Grove Regional Park. Learn about a variety of mammals, including our state mammal, the grizzly bear, and the recovery story of the mammal on the City of Stockton seal, the Tule elk. This “Nature Nights” program is Friday, April 5, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Oak Grove Nature Center. All activities are free and open to the public. All ages welcome. There is an Oak Grove Regional Park en-trance fee of $5 per vehicle.

Save the date for the May “Nature Nights” on Friday, May 3. Join Oak Grove Regional Park for a talk with field biologist Mike Cardwell about the natural history of wild rattle-snakes and safety tips on how to avoid and treat their bites.

Please email [email protected], call (209) 953-8814, or check out Oak Grove Regional’s Facebook page for more information.

San Joaquin County Regional Science Olympiad WinnersMore than 600 San Joaquin County students participated in the

27th annual San Joaquin County Office of Education Science Olym-piad Competition for Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) at the University of the Pacific on Saturday, March 2. The awards ceremony immediately followed at Blanchard Gym at San Joaquin Delta College. Nineteen Division B teams and 22 Division C teams nationwide participated in this 23-event, one-day competi-tion. Medals and plaques were awarded to top scoring teams.

Here’s how local schools performed:Division B (middle school)

Second: Sierra Middle Blue, Lincoln Unified School DistrictDivision C (high school)

Second: Lincoln High Red, Lincoln Unified School DistrictEight teams representing San Joaquin County will compete at

the state competition in Tulare County in April. Only one team per school can represent San Joaquin County at the state competition:

Division B (middle school)Sierra Middle Blue, Lincoln Unified School District

Division C (high School)Lincoln High Red, Lincoln Unified School District

>>community briefs


>>411 in 209

WHENSaturday and Sunday, April 20-21Lodi Community Center’s 53rd Annual Spring Art Show

Win up to $1,000 at this open national jur-ied art show at the Robert Mondavi Winery in Acampo near Lodi. The theme is “Art is a Cabernet” and the artwork will hang from wine barrels. For more information, contact Chairperson Janet Hayden at (209) 608-0955 or at www.lodiartcenter.org. Robert Mondavi Winery is at 5959 E. Woodbridge Road, Acampo. For more winery details, call (209) 369-5861.

WHATThe Great Stockton

Asparagus Dine Out —Farm to Fork!

Asparagus is king in Stockton, and local restaurants are devoting April 1-14 to showcase farm-to-fork lo-cally grown asparagus and its use in their local cuisine. Choose from

appetizers, entrees, desserts and drinks in various restaurants throughout Stockton. This is just the lead-in to the big event, the Stock-

ton Asparagus Festival on April 26-28, which drew more than 104,000 people last year. The downtown city marina

gets booked a year in advance with people who want to dock at the festival. However, if you’re a boater, check with the marina at

(209) 462-4200 to see if there are cancellations. For more informa-tion, go to www.visitstockton.org/dining/asparagus-dine-out.

HOW To Take Care of the EarthVictory Park, Pershing Avenue and Argonne Drive, Stockton

This free family fun event is at Stockton’s Victory Park on Sunday, April 21. It starts

with yoga on the park green at 10 a.m. Then, hundreds of cyclists will have a Family Fun Bike

Ride and Parade; registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The festival, “To Take Care of the Earth,”

starts at 11 a.m. and features ethic dance groups and great area bands, as well as dozens

of informative, interactive booths, displays and exhibits. Be sure to attend San Joaquin

County’s premiere environmental event – you will leave knowing more about how to take care of natural resources of the earth, air and water.

WHEREGrand Theatre Center for the ArtsVaudeville Festival, April 19-21, the Grand Theater, 715 Central Ave., Tracy

The Grand Theater, along with Greg Frisbee and his troupe, will bring a family oriented festival vaudeville variety show for all ages. Show goers will enjoy juggling, illusion, physical comedy, live music, and more. The first Friday evening performance will also include acrobatics and physical comedy designed for the entire family. Saturday daytime is for children but the evening is for adults, featuring a classic burlesque show with sensuous dance numbers.

Festival schedule: Friday, April 19: 7 p.m., Magic Motion & Mischief, $9-$50. Saturday, April 20: 11 a.m., Street Fair; 11:30 a.m., Clowning workshop; 12:30 p.m., Juggling Workshop; 1 p.m., Animal Show; 3:30 p.m., Kids Magic Workshop; 8 p.m., Burlesque show (adults only), $16-$50. Sunday, April 21: Movies at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.


To Take Care of the EarthVictory Park, Pershing Avenue and Argonne Drive, Stockton


Three Ways to Practice Your Best ‘Wedi-Quette’

Don’t let matters like remarried parents, reception details derail your big day

By Emily Reynolds

Weddings traditions are not what they used to be. While some still remain timeless, today’s modern bride and groom are pre-sented with a new onslaught of evolving

etiquette dilemmas. Here at The Reserve at Spanos Park, we believe in having your big day your way! To steer through the confusion and answer your most-pressing “wedi-quette” questions, check these quick tips:

My parents are remarried; who sits where?Pleasing all members of a blended family while following “proper

etiquette” can be tricky. Typically the first row is reserved for parents, second row for grandparents or next of kin.

If remarried parents get along, escort the bride’s stepmother first. Next, escort the groom’s stepmother, with the groom’s father follow-ing behind her. The groom’s mother then proceeds, with usher and step-father behind. Lastly, the bride’s mother is escorted by the usher, with stepfather following behind. After escorting her down the aisle, the bride’s father then seats himself next to his wife.

If they can’t set aside their differences, consider separating mothers and stepfathers on the first row, and fathers and stepmothers on the second row. Grandparents would then occupy the ends of the first two rows or rows three and four (depending upon the amount of grandpar-ents and number of chairs).

How can I incorporate my deceased parent into my ceremony?I have been privileged to see some wonderful ideas honoring loved

ones in past weddings. You can place a portrait or favorite photo in the chair they would have been seated. To keep them closer to you, take an old article of their clothing, cut a swatch (maybe a heart symbolizing love and blue to complete your “borrowed” and “blue” tradition) and sew it to the inside of your wedding dress, or wrap it around your bouquet stems.

Is it acceptable to only serve cocktails and desserts at my reception?Definitely! There are a few stipulations I would suggest, but a des-

sert reception can be a wonderful way to save on cost. First, a dessert reception is not as long as a traditional reception – which means less money on entertainment, rentals, and staffing. A dinner reception will last upwards of five-plus hours. Dessert receptions will be an average of three hours, beginning early afternoon or late evening.

Good news: You can still take part in all of the traditions like first dance, cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss and dancing. It will just hap-pen in a more-expedited fashion. Also consider only hosting punch and champagne. Open bars are typically one of your most expensive ticket items – although if it’s in the budget, it can be a nice touch!

For more “wedi-quette” tips, visit www.countryclubreceptions.com and read the article, “Your top 10 most-pressing ‘wedi-quette’ ques-tions,’ answered!”

Emily Reynolds graduated from Missouri State University with a Bach-elor’s degree in event planning. She has been an event manager for six years and for the past two years she has been a private event manager with The Reserve at Spanos Park. For more information on “wedi-quette,” contact her at The Reserve at Spanos Park, 6301 W. Eight Mile Road, Stockton, (209) 477-4653, ext. 28.

>>tips from the pro


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and sell advertising programs to help local businesses grow.

Candidates with advertising sales experience can step to the

front of the line!

We offer 50% commission for the first 60 days, then a generous commission structure and

quarterly bonuses and the ability to sell advertising in all 6 of BMG’s magazines.

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[email protected]

>>best eats

Come & see why we have won so many awards including Talk of the Town! At Weber’s BBQ and More we specialize not just in ribs but real qual-

ity, down home soul food cooking. You may come in a stranger, but you will leave as a friend.

Tue: 11am-7pm, Wed: 11am-3pm, Thurs: 11am-7pm, Fri: 11am-9pm, Sat: 2pm-7pm.

823 Mellon St. | Manteca209.823.4227 | www.webers4bbq.com

FEATURESGood For Groups • Good For Kids

Take Out • Catering • Waiter Service

The Delta Bistro has a new fresh menu featur-ing certified Niman Ranch Beef, fresh seafood

& local produce. Fine dining in a casual set-ting with fantastic waterfront views.

Prime Rib Buffet on Thursday starting at 5pm Sunday Mimosa Brunch 10am-2pm. Break-

fast 6-11am, Lunch 11am-2pm, Dinner 5:30-9pm.

Please Join us for Easter Brunch www.universityplazawaterfronthotel.com

110 W. Fremont St. | Stockton 209.944.1140

FEATURESFull Bar • To Go Available • Banquet Rooms

Children’s Menu • Entertainment

We believe dining should be fun with freshness and surprises in the menu, and

warmth and knowledge in the dining room service. We are committed to creating fresh, natural, and innovative dishes featuring the

highest quality seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients. We look forward to inspiring the

joys of food and sharing our passion with you! For restaurant reservations: (209) 371-6160 or

[email protected].

2505 West Turner Road | Lodi 209.371.6160 | www.winerose.com

FEATURESBeer & Extensive Lodi Wine

Catering • Private Dining

WINE & DINE Celebrate premier wines as you enjoy a fabulous

dinner. Complimentary wine tasting. 2 Glasses and/or bottles for the price of one. 5-9 pm.

APRIL 1 GROTHAPRIL 8 DUCKHORN

APRIL 15 OJAI VINEYARDSAPRIL 29 ROUND POND

501 N. Lincoln Center | Stockton

209.477.6133 | www.papapavlos.com

FEATURES To Go Available • Catering • Cocktails

Children’s Menu • Banquet Rooms

Come in and celebrate our 20-year anniversary with us,

beginning April 1!We are commemorating this event with a

$20.00 dinner special for the entire month.Order our Bud’s Beef and Prawns, with your

choice of salad, or Chowder, and a glass of House Wine or a select Dessert.

We truly appreciate you and your families for choosing to dine with us!

314 Lincoln Center | Stockton 209.956.0270 | www.budsseafood.com

FEATURESCocktails • To Go Available • Catering



>>beyond 209

By Bernadine Chapman-Cruz | Contributing Writer

Explore the beautiful areas of the Pacific coast-line on a Central Coast Outdoors adventure. Choose from kayaking in the estuary on Morro Bay, hiking trails in Big Sur, or biking the Pa-

cific Coast Highway. Central Coast Outdoors owners (experienced recreational guides and world travelers) John and Virginia Flaherty decided to share their love of outdoor adventures when they chose the pictur-esque coastal regions between San Francisco and Los Angeles for their business.

Since 2003, Central Coast Outdoors has hosted more than 10,000 satisfied recreationists. “We want people not only to have a good time, but to enrich our guests’ lives through an incredible experience in the outdoor world of the central coast,” John said.

Central Coast Outdoors offers a variety of activities suited for family fun. “Our Morro Bay morning kayak tours are some of the most popular,” John said. The Half-Day Classic Tour is perfect for first time kayakers. Paddling the protected estuary at Morro Bay, guests have fantastic views of the dramatic geological rock formation on the north side, as well as surrounding sand dunes. “It is a very forgiving area,” John said, “even families with young children can paddle the calm water with confidence.”

The kayak portion of the trip is approximately two hours, providing exceptional scenery and wildlife sightings including harbor seals, sea otters, pelicans, shore birds, egrets, and herons. There is a stop at the sand dunes, where guests are free to explore the grass-dotted plains before an optional picnic lunch. A kayaking-only version of the tour is also available.

If your family likes to hike, Estero Bluffs Hike is the easiest hiking tour, ideal for all age groups. Hikers traverse trails through Estero Bluffs, viewing the spectacular coastline as well as Morro Rock on the north side of the bay.

Continued on page 18There’s a great view of the water awaiting people in Morro Bay — on the

other side of this sand dune.

Ecotouring – An Exciting Way to Experience the OutdoorsOutdoor Family Fun in and Around Morro Bay


>>beyond 209

For seasoned hikers, Big Sur Eco Tour is a full day trip, including transportation to Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park and Lime Kiln State Park. Guests hike along 4-5 miles of coastal trails scattered with waterfalls; historical structures and even whale sightings during whale migration season. The tour ranges from 6-8 hours, with easy access to and from transportation. Parents can carry young children in infants’ backpack carriers. Gourmet lunch included.

An absolute must for families who love to bike, take Central Coast Outdoors Avila Beach See Canyon Tour, a short drive from

Morro Bay. Bikers ride along the Bob Jones Trail near Avila Beach. The route follows less-traveled roads with good shoulders through amazing landscapes. Guests visit Harford Pier at Avila Beach and explore See Canyon, an apple or-chard area inland from the beach. Gourmet lunch included.

California Coast Outdoors provides all equipment and safety gear particular to each activity, as well as gourmet lunch when included as part of the tour pack-age. Check website for open dates, adult prices and sliding scale for children discounts (from 10-75 percent depending on age and specific tour). Phone calls welcome or book online.

“Explore our different guided full- and half-day tours – it’s an experi-

ence your family will never forget.”John Flaherty, owner, Central Coast Outdoors

Central Coast OutdoorsP.O. Box 6893 | Los Osos, CA 93412

805.528.1080 | Open all yearwww.centralcoastoutdoors.com

Continued from page 17


BROOKSIDE MONTHLY MAGAZINEBig Monkey Group LLC94 W. Castle St. #BStockton CA 95204

Documents

Brookside Monthly Magazine April 2013