spanos park monthly april 2013

APRIL 2013 | VOL. 7 | ISSUE 4

2 | APRIL 2013 | spanos park monthly magazine

Spanos ParkSTOCKTON’S PREMIERE COMMUNITY | WWW.SPANOSPARKBROKER.COM

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

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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

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Louie Ambriz Junior Graphic Designer,

Photographer & Web Development

Matt Vincent Web Development

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Circulation

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The Spanos Park Monthly magazine is published once a month and direct-mailed to homes in and around the Stockton communities of Spanos Park East and West. 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 Spanos Park Monthly magazine. Comments may be edited for clarity and length. ©2013 BIG MONKEY GROUP LLC

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spanos park monthly magazine | APRIL 2013 | 3

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>>editor’s note

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.


>>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 spanos

Lodi Unified School DistrictWednesday, April 17 is a Com-

mon Planning Day. All students will have a minimum day.

Manlio Silva Thursday, April 11 is the annual

parent night for sixth grade parents that will have students at Christa McAuliffe Middle School next school year. The evening is designed as an orientation of what to expect, and to answer any questions about pro-grams or the school campus. Please attend with your children.

STAR testing is during these dates at Silva:

• Second Grade Multiple Choice is Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26.

• Third Grade Multiple Choice is Friday April 19 through Thursday, April 25.

• Fourth through Sixth Grade Multiple Choice is Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 25.

Tuesday, April 9 is Triple A Period 6 Handout and Third Quarter Honor Roll Breakfast. Wednesday, April 10 is a Girl Scout meeting. Friday, April 19 is Triple A Period 7 Ends and Matteoli to Bowling, from 9 a.m. to noon. Monday, April 22 is Triple A Period 8 Begins.

Thursday, April 25, enjoy the MIOS Concert at McNair High, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 is Spirit Day - Purple Passion. The Math Olympiad is Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to noon. Manlio Monday is April 29. College Wear Day is Wednesday, May 1. Thursday, May 2 is the sixth grade trip to Monterey and the PTA Board meeting. Friday, May 3, the fourth grade will go to Fog Willow from 9 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

Julia Morgan Elementary School

Congratulations to Karen Rog-ers, Julia Morgan’s Teacher of the Year. Julia Morgan would like to

thank all the families participating in the fourth grade play, “Great Americans,” and to the families for participating in the PTA Pasta Din-ner. The third grade play, “Rumpus in the Rainforest,” is Wednesday, April 24. Julia Morgan’s Open House is Thursday, May 2 and the Mustangs Got Talent Show is Friday, May 10.

Bear Creek High SchoolComedy Sportz will take place

in the theatre on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. Drama’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27, and Thursday, May 2 through Saturday, May 4. All performances begin at 7 p.m.

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 specialty 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 auctions. Tickets are $50 per person and you need to RSVP by Tuesday, April 14. To purchase tickets, or 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/Se-nior 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.

Area School Happenings

The Time is Right to Buy a Beautiful Home in Spanos Park

In February, 34 homes were for sale, 42 were pending, 29 sold and 15 expired, withdrew or cancelled. For properties sold, the average days on the market were 37, median square footage price was $99.10, median sold price was $179,400 and median size was 2,288 square feet. Proper-ties currently available are $121,000 to $425,000. For more important mar-ket information, call RE/MAX Gold Broker Sheree Cox at (209) 451-2600. Current market data taken from Metrolist.

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.

Getting Ready to Celebrate Mom Celebrate mom at The Reserve at Spanos Park Golf Course’s an-

nual Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch on Sunday, May 12. Seating for the grand buffet are offered between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Prices are $24.99 for adults, $19.99 for seniors 55 and over, and $14.99 for children 14 and younger. All prices subject to sales tax. Reser-vations required; call (209) 477-4653 ext. 28 to make. Open to all Spanos Park residents, their guests and the public. The Reserve is located across from Spanos Park West housing, at 6301 W. Eight Mile Road, Stockton.

Stockton Go Red for Women Luncheon

Make it your mission to fight heart disease in women! Join the American Heart Association on Friday, April 26 at the University of the Pacific’s University Center. Attend the Vendor Expo from 10:30 a.m. to noon, then enjoy the luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase tickets visit www.heart.org/stockton.


>>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 Stein-beck’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.

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 uplift-ing, 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 pre-mium 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.

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.

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.


>>community briefs

Health and Vision Fair Have your vision and blood

pressure checked at the sixth an-nual 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 Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Bring your family and friends. For more information, call (209) 466- 3836.

Local Talent Shines“Apollo Night 2013,” Northern

California’s No. 1 talent show-case, returns to the Bob Hope Theatre for its finals. Apollo Night features the area’s best singers, dance groups, rap acts, bands, models, poets, and junior acts, (ages 3 to 12). This event is Friday, April 12. Tickets are $14 per person; some additional fees may apply.

A Night of Gospel The eighth annual “Gospel Fest”

is an event by Stockton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to help raise money for the annual scholarships they give

to high school graduates attend-ing a two-year or four-year college or university. Many Stockton-area choirs come to sing a variety of “church songs.” This event is Fri-day, April 26, 7 p.m. to 9: 30 p.m., at Quail Lakes Baptist Church. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 13 to 17 years, and free for children 12 years and younger. For more information, call (209) 474-8035.

Creating a Stress-Free Life“Blissful Living by Reducing

or Eliminating Stress” is the topic of guest speaker Rochele Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS, at the Stockton Women’s Network luncheon on Wednesday, April 3. Lawson is the president of The Health, Healing and Wellness Co., bringing holistic health and wellness into the lives of individuals. A success-ful entrepreneur and author, she also has a weekly syndicat-ed radio show, “Blissful Living,” helping individuals live well and stress free. The luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. at Stockton Golf and Country Club. For reserva-tions, call (209) 472-0359.

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 Cali-fornia’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 entrance 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 rattlesnakes 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.


>>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.


>>beyond 209

Ecotouring – An Exciting Way to Experience the Outdoors

Outdoor Family Fun in and Around Morro Bay

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

There’s a great view of the water awaiting people in Morro Bay — on the other side of this sand dune.


>>beyond 209

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, pro-viding 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. Hik-ers traverse trails through Estero Bluffs, viewing the spectacular coastline as well as Morro Rock on the north side of the bay.

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 orchard 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 experience 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

If you need a place for some cycling-based exercise, you’ll find miles of it here.


Three Ways to Practice Your Best ‘Wedi-Quette’Don’t let matters like remarried parents, reception details derail your big day

>>tips from the pro

By Emily Reynolds

Weddings traditions are not what they used

to be. While some still remain timeless, today’s modern bride and groom are presented 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 confu-sion 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 grand-parents or next of kin.

If remarried parents get along, escort the bride’s stepmother first. Next, escort the groom’s step-mother, with the groom’s father following 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 differ-ences, consider separating moth-ers 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 grandparents and number of chairs).

How can I incorporate my deceased parent into my cer-

emony?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 dessert reception can be a won-derful way to save on cost. First, a dessert reception is not as long as a traditional reception – which means less money on entertain-ment, rentals, and staffing. A din-ner 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 happen 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’ questions,’ answered!”

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

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

WE’RE HIRING!The Spanos Park Monthly—the premier magazine for the

Spanos communities — is seeking one ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE to prospect, build relationships and sell advertising programs

to help local businesses grow in all 6 of our magazines.

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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spanos park monthly april 2013

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