Brookside Monthly magazine

FEBRUARY 2013 | VOL. 8 | ISSUE 2

“School days, school days, dear old golden rule days.” Growing up, school was such a huge part of my life. This was

the time when I was able to discover what type of person I was and wanted to be. Friendships were made, hearts were broken, there were a lot of school activities and oh, yes, even a little studying got done. We all attended the local neighborhood schools. I would walk with my friends to and from school – first elementary school, then on to middle school, and finally the walk to the bus stop for high school. If we were lucky enough, we could take the family car once we received the all-important driver’s license.

School was a lot simpler then. Schools had a lot to offer students. Along with high school core classes, there were more elective classes and extracurricular activities for students. There seemed to be some-thing for everyone. There were music classes, several foreign languag-es to learn and various art classes. When it came to taking electives, there was a lot to choose from.

Class size was something we never had to worry about. In elementary school and junior high, the class size never went over 24 or 25 students; in high school the class size wasn’t over 30. There was the oc-casional person picking on other people, but never bullying like the type going on today. I took for granted how good I actually had things.

I was in eighth grade when the first rumblings of budget cuts came about. I am sure there were always budget cuts, but this was the first time I felt it affect me. Classes were going to be cut. My junior high planned to eliminate home economics and shop class. I remember going to the school board meeting with many other students and teachers to see if they were really going to cut these classes. I even got up and talked about how important these classes were to the students.

Those same two little words, budget cuts, hit me hard when I was a senior in high school. I was in music as well as on drill team. During this year, the school district needed to cut its budget in a big way – very much like in the movie, “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” Luckily, though, they didn’t get rid of all of the arts; small cuts were made in all departments. This allowed the schools to keep everything. Several fundraisers helped keep things going.

When my own children were ready to start school, I enrolled them in the local community school and did my share of volunteering like so many of our readers do. As my children learned their ABCs, I received an education on how much schools have changed over the years. By the time my oldest reached second grade, my eyes opened to a lot of things. There weren’t a lot of extra classes for the older students, the number of children per classroom had increased and bullying was almost a daily occurrence. Now, I know that there is no perfect school anywhere, and you may love the school that your child attends. That’s great news. Our children are our No. 1 priority and we, as parents, are always striving to make them the best that they can be.

Our feature story this month is on Charter schools. You will get an inside look at a few of them and see how they work. Many of you may be surprised at what these schools offer. They offer students a variety of classes and subjects to study. Does your child love animals and farming? There is a charter school that focuses on that. What about music, sports and health? There are schools that specialize in those fields as well.

It’s true that not every school is a fit for every child. It’s also true that public schools still have a lot to offer our kids. But one of our goals as a parent is to help our children succeed in life, and that can begin with their school years.

Mitzi Stites | Managing Editor | [email protected]

>>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

PUBLISHERShawn 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

Francis Novero Contributing Writer

Gayle Romasanta Contributing Writer

CREATIVE DEPARTMENTShawn Crary

Art Director

Louie Ambriz Junior Graphic Designer,

Photographer & Web Development

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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/PAYABLE Ernie Gallardo Office Manager

CONTACT US To submit advertisements & artwork

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Big Monkey Group PublicationsBrookside Monthly | Lodi Monthly

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A Return to the ‘Dear Old Golden Rule’ Days

The Brookside Monthly magazine is published once a month and direct-mailed to over 5,500 homes in and around the Stockton community of Brookside. An additional 1,000 copies are distributed in high-traffic areas. 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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>>feature story


San Joaquin County’s public charter schools find a way to always keep students laughing and learning.

A Chartered CourseA Local Parent Investigates San Joaquin County Charter Schools

By Paul Grant Contributing Writer

Recently, my wife and I tried to get our seven-year-old son into

one of the local private charter schools. To say we were unsuccessful was an understatement: his name was selected 238th out of 240 applicants, with only 60 openings available. I had been told at the time that this was not unusual, and that his chance of en-rolling in any of the public charters was slim at best.

In December, during an interview for another story, San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools Mick Founts mentioned the county-operated charter school network, something I knew nothing about. With our youngest son also starting public school this year, I thought it was time to do some research into the county charter schools. I must say that I was surprised and im-pressed by the breadth and scope of the program, and also with the young people that I met who at-tend these schools.

On the drive out to the first of the schools, Dr. Founts had plenty of time to fill me in on the history of the charters. Venture Academy, the first county’s charter, was started to support local home-schooling for elementary-aged students. Parents needed assis-tance with resources and testing, and the academy could monitor the student’s progress as it related to state standards. As parents began to request more services, the school was eventually oper-ating four days a week. Middle school and high school students were added, and Venture became a traditional five-day-a-week school. As Fount’s philosophy of “finding a place for every student” solidified, new academies were added within

the Venture Academy framework that focused on different areas of academics and interests.

My tour started with Venture Academy’s agriculture school, Historic Durham Ferry. This was an “academy within the academy,” where students grades 6 through 12 could focus on agriculture, ecology, animal husbandry and ag-riculture technology. All classrooms had laptop computers for every student, which I soon realized was common throughout the charter system. Muddy boots are left at the door while students study in the classroom, then on again to ride horses or work with a large collec-tion of South African Boer goats.

Freshman Claire Allen walked me through the Boer goat program, which starts every morning with standard farm chores like feeding, cleaning stalls and administering medicine. She showed me the goats that she cares for person-ally, including one she had recently assisted in giving birth to a litter (or “tower,” for goat aficionados) of eight “kids.”

Claire introduced me to her show

goat Gypsy, and I asked her what impresses the judges the most about a goat. “You want a lot of mass, but for [young female goats], you also want a feminine neck,” she told me. “Gypsy doesn’t have the best neck, but I’m breeding her to a buck that will bring the feminine neck in to her kids.”

Claire and the other students who work with animals make a commitment that goes well beyond school hours, as most students volunteer to feed and clean on weekends and through the sum-mer. There’s no doubt this school is only for hardcore farm enthusi-asts, and all of the students I saw looked like they were in just the right place.

Back at Venture Academy Family of Schools headquarters, I toured through Ventureland Academy, the school for kindergarten through sixth grade. The classrooms were clean and comfortable, but there were some obvious differ-ences compared to the school my children attend. These include a massive rock climbing wall and a woodshop so automated that Mar-

lowe Burgess, the shop teacher, built an entire project in the five minutes that we spent together. As he moved from the jig saw to the drill press to the router, he explained that he, like some others, wore several hats at the Academy, including managing the rock wall and working with the independent study students. I admired the sea-scape merry-go-round he had just created, and moved on.

I quickly saw that the academies within the Venture group offer a focus for almost any student. At Delta VISTA, 9th through 12th graders surround themselves with science, technology, and medicine. Nine advanced placement courses are offered, and students can earn up to 32 college semester units in a program that partners with Grand Canyon University. Foundations Academy is a Visual and Perform-ing Arts program for students who want to focus on drama, language arts, or social studies. The Acad-emy of Innovation and Inquiry, also called Brainworx, offers more per-

Continued on page 6

>>feature story


sonalized programs with one-on-one attention, and students can complete up to 20 college credits.

I loved the names of two academies: the New Energy Academy and the Clean Transportation Technologies Academy. In my opinion, these are critical emerging technologies and I feel better about the state of modern education when I hear that high school students have the oppor-tunity to engage in the science and debate of creating a cleaner future.

Central to all of the academies is the Da Vinci Center for Innovative Learning. While not an academy itself, any Venture Academy student may take classes here. The mainstays here are science, technology, engineering, digital arts and math.

As I walked in the door, I saw students using a 3-D printer to create working machines from computer drawings (if you haven’t heard of a 3-D printer, you should Google it – they are amazing!). These students were learning about rapid prototyping, an advanced manufactur-

ing process that also involved laser-cutting cardboard models and learning advanced 3-D modeling software.

In the robotics lab, Jim Bock supervises the building and programming of robots for land, sea and air. In the media center, students produce their own movies and the posters to promote them. Everywhere you turn at the Da Vinci Center, you see something incredibly cool. This was where I wish I had gone to school!

The Venture Academy of Schools is just one of the four charters operated by the county. My next visit was to the Building Futures Academy, a construction technology school for at-risk young adults ages 18-26. Here, I saw older youth learning masonry, electrical, woodwork and framing, sheetrock, insulation, plumbing, and many other skills. I didn’t get to stop in at the One Academy, but I learned from Dr. Founts that it is a visual and performing arts school for 7th to 12th graders, specializing in art, dance, design, film, acting, writing, music and theater.

My last stop was Excel Academy, a brand-new school with a focus on collegiate sports and health science. While athletics is a major

focus, this academy also touts itself as being highly focused on the curriculum, with the goal that every student will succeed academically in college. I toured the new gym, which is under construction but still very impressive, with two full-size basketball courts. There are 150 students enrolled this first year, and a limit has already been set at 300.

Inside the school, I wondered if it would seem like a really competitive environment, but the vibe was more energetic and friendly. Again, technology was everywhere and the students used iPads for textbooks. I was told that in addition to athletic training, students take four classes a semester: one sports-related and three on other academic subjects. This is definitely only a school for students who want to push themselves as athletes, but for those who fit that description, it seems like a haven.

Overall, I was very impressed by the county charter schools, particularly the Venture Acad-emies. Most kids can learn and thrive at a stan-dard public school, but I think the charters are a great option for kids who want to channel their talents and energy in a more-focused direction.

Aspire APEX Academy (209) 466-3861

Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy(209) 955-1477

Aspire Langston Hughes Academy(209) 943-2389

Aspire Port City Academy(209) 943-2389

Aspire River Oaks Charter(209) 956-8100

Aspire Rosa Parks Academy(209) 944-5590

Aspire Vincent Shalvery Academy(209) 931-5399

Academy of Business, Law and Education(209) 478-1600

California Connections Academy at Ripon(503) 877-8144

California Pacific Charter School North Central CA(855) 225-7227

California Virtual Academy at San Joaquin (866) 339-6790

Delta Charter School (209) 830-6789

Dr. Lewis Dolphin Stall-worth Sr. Charter School (209) 943-0353

Escalon Charter Academy (209) 838-3591

Excel Academy Collegiate Sports and Health Science Preparatory School(209) 227-2300

Great Valley Academy (209) 824-5400

Joe Serna Jr. Charter School (209) 331-7809

Manteca Unified Vocational Academy (209) 858-7460

New Jerusalem School (209) 835-2597

Nightingale Charter School (209) 933-7260

One.Charter Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (209) 468-9079

Pacific Law Academy (209) 933-7000

Pittman Charter School (209) 933-7496

Rio Valley Charter School (209) 368-4934

San Joaquin Building Futures Academy (209) 468-9246

Stockton Collegiate International Elementary (209) 390-9861

Stockton Collegiate International Secondary (209) 390-9861

Stockton Health Careers Academy (209) 933-7360

Stockton High(209) 933-7365

Stockton Unified Early College Academy (209) 933-7370 ext. 1450

TEAM Charter School(209) 462-2282

Tracy Learning Center - Three sites

Discovery Charter School I Millennium Charter School l Primary Charter School (209) 831-5240

Velocity International Science & Technology Academy (209) 622-1900

Venture Academy Family of Schools (209) 468-5940

Area Public Charter Schools

Continued from page 5


>>around brookside

Costa Named New SJCOE Assistant Superintendent

Ron Costa has been selected to fill the vacant position of Assis-tant Superintendent of Educational Services at SJCOE, the office announced.

Costa brings extensive experience in teaching, site administra-tion, and district administration. He is currently superintendent of Escalon Uni-fied School District. Prior to this position, Costa was assistant superintendent at Riverbank Unified School District. He also served as principal at Rio Altura School in Riverbank Unified School District.

He graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences and Management. He received his teaching credentials from Chapman University. Costa completed his Master of Science

in Educational Administration from National University, and re-ceived his Administrative Credential from California State Univer-sity, Stanislaus.

“I am excited to have someone with [Costa’s] experience and passion as a part of our leadership team,” said SJCOE Superinten-dent of Schools Dr. Mick Founts. “He is a solid instructional leader who balances management with a deep love of all youth. It is a great honor to welcome Ron to our SJCOE family.”

Ron Costa

Murder at Brookside ChurchGet ready for an evening of fatal fun as the First Congressional Church of

Stockton theater group unveils a mystery dinner show that spoofs TV chefs, old-time detectives, art lovers, and chocoholics.

Penned by Tony Schwartz and Marylou Ambrose, and directed by Tony Waltman, “Sam Club Private Eye in The Case of The Malted Falcon” takes place at the Gallery of Amazingly Great Art (GAGA) in New York City. Sam Club was hired to guard the priceless chocolate sculpture, The Malted Falcon. However, during the train ride to New York, an unknown assailant hit him over the head and stole the sculpture. Now Sam must find the thief, and save the sculpture and his reputation as a private eye.

You’ll meet a cast of zany characters, including Sam’s ditzy secretary Velma Vavoomsky; TV chef Rachael Raven; heir to the chocolate sculpture Robin Hawkins; bird activist Abigail Nightingale; engineer Casey Stourbridge; fake falconer Harvey Featherby; and amateur sleuth and mystery novelist Miss Marbles. Keep your eyes and ears open, because one of these char-acters will be ruthlessly murdered, and it’s up to the audience to solve the crime! Prizes will be awarded to the first few who correctly guess the murder and the motive.

The curtain rises on Friday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 24 at the First Congregational Church of Stockton Lakeside room, 3904 Brookside Road, Stockton. Show times are at 6 o’clock all three nights, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23. Proceeds from the dinner theatre event will ben-efit the FCCS Growth & Missions Outreach.

What can you expect from an audience participation murder mystery? Fun, from the minute you walk through the doors and mingle with the cast, as they drop hints about themselves, the show, and give you a chance to ask questions. At 6:30 p.m. you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner buffet, while the cast keeps a low profile. The main show starts after dinner, around 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner and show are $20 and the Saturday matinee show is $12. For information and reservations, call (209) 662-2502, email [email protected], or visit www.firstcongregationalstockton.org.

More Than Books at the Margaret Troke Library

Free Basic Computer Class for Beginners. These classes are designed to help new computer users get comfortable with technology. No signup or regis-tration needed. Classes meet on Fridays throughout the month from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students are welcome to bring their own laptop or personal device. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes be-fore 3 p.m. to allow time to find parking and set up.

Homework Helpers for K-Fifth Grade. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Margaret Troke Branch Library presents “Homework Helpers.” Come to the library, where our volun-teers can guide you. Homework Helpers assist children in kin-dergarten through fifth grade with math, reading and science. All students should bring their homework assignments with them. This is a free program that is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Troke Mystery Book Club. The Troke Mystery Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss Valentine’s Day-themed mysteries. Visit

the Troke Branch Library to check out a copy of the books for this club.

Preschool Story Time. Come join the fun every Tuesday for this age-specific story time. There will be finger plays, stories and songs. Nametags will be handed out at 10 a.m. and story time will start at 10:15 a.m. sharp.

Free Beginning Line Danc-ing. Come get your line dance on Saturday, Feb. 16. Have fun, meet new people, and get a great workout. Anne Hines, library volunteer and line dancing in-structor at Oak Park Senior Cen-ter, will teach you to line dance while getting some great, fun exercise. No registration needed. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a bottle of water with you.

Math Smart Tutoring for Grades 6-12. Math Smart Tutor-ing is a free drop-in program for any San Joaquin County 6th-12th grade students strug-gling with mathematics. Tutors help with basic math, algebra, geometry and higher-level math when needed. No signup neces-sary. Math Smart Tutoring is available Tuesdays and Wednes-days from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Festive Crab FeedDefying Muscular Dystrophy will host its second Annual Mardi Gras

Crab Feed on Friday, March 1, at the Stockton Ballroom. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for no-host cocktails, with dinner served at 7 p.m. The organization’s goal is to raise $50,000 for Vecttor Treatment clinical trials (an innovative treatment) in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. The founder’s family members, Todd Harrison and Dave Gould, have been using this treatment for two years with astonishing results and they feel compelled to make it available for others across the nation.

The crab feed’s evening festivities include entertainment; a silent auction; a raffle for prizes such as a touch-screen laptop, a flat screen TV, and a video gaming system; as well as a sit-down meal of crab, pasta, bread and salad catered by Seafood Express. Bris-ket will be available as a substitute for crab. General seating tickets are $45 per person and reserved general seating tickets known as the “Jester Table” can be purchased for $50 per person, in groups of eight or more at $400 minimum. Business sponsorship tables and opportunities are also available, ranging from $250 to $1,000.

For more information about the Mardi Gras Crab Feed, contact Cathy Gould-Harrison at (209) 598-0471 or [email protected].


>>around brookside

Save These Important Brookside School Dates

Lincoln Unified School DistrictThere will be no school on

Monday, Feb. 11 to observe Lin-coln’s birthday, and on Friday, Feb. 15 and Monday, Feb. 18 for Presidents Break. The Lincoln Council PTA Reflections Recep-tion is Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Brookside School multi-use room.

Claudia Landeen Elementary School

The school play is Wednes-day, Feb. 27 through Friday, March 1.

Lincoln High SchoolPre-Registration Orientation

and Curriculum Open House are Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the Practice Gym. Parents may drop in from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents and stu-dents to talk with teachers about:

>>Course content and require-ments for career technical educa-tion, English, math, physical education, science, social science, strategies, visual and performing arts, and world languages.

>>Academic competition teams, including Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, Science Olympiad, and Speech and Debate.Orientation sessions are:

>>Session 1, 6:30 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. >>Session 2, 7 p.m. to 7:25 p.m.>>Session 3, 7:30 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.>>Session 4, 8 p.m. to 8:25 p.m.

Topics:>>“Registration and Counseling,” room 1113 (Lecture Hall)>>“Ninth Grade English,” room 1200 (Band Room)>>“Ninth Grade Mathematics,” room 1201 (Choir Room)>>“Athletics/Cheerleading/Stu-dent Activities,” rooms L2/L3 (in back of library building)

Please note that all four topics will be addressed during each of the four sessions. You may attend all four sessions in any order you choose.

Thursday, Feb. 2 is the “Lincoln HS Cash for College Financial Aid Workshop,” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Library Media Center.

All eighth grade students within the district will visit the Lincoln High School campus from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Feb. 8. The day begins with a tour of the campus. During an orientation assembly, students will meet the counselors and administrators, and be given the opportunity to learn about the various programs that are available on campus. Areas highlighted include choir, drama, Cadet Corps program, cheer, athletics, auxiliary, band orchestra, government, career and technical education, peer mediation and LINK crew.

All students who live in the dis-trict and are not currently attend-ing a LUSD school are welcome. If parents or guardians would like to sign a child up to attend the day, come to the LHS Administration Office and fill out an emergency card the week prior to the event. Parents must drop their students off in front of the school, by the flagpole, at 9 a.m. and pick them up by noon. Students must sign in at the Administration Office and receive a Visitor’s Pass prior to participating in the day’s activi-ties. An assistant principal/teach-er will supervise the students dur-ing their visit to our school. This will be a fun and informative day for the incoming freshman class. Any questions, contact Cathy at (209) 953-8934.

Free Community Checkup On Saturday, Feb. 22, the University of the Pacific student pharmacists are pro-

viding free health information and screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and dia-betes. There will also be health consultations and Spanish speakers will be available. This event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Market at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave. in Stockton., S. Burke Bradley Road (frontage) and Pacific Avenue, parking lot Locke 2. If you have questions, email: [email protected].

brookside monthly magazine | FEBRUARY 2013 | 1312 | FEBRUARY 2013 | brookside monthly magazine


An Evening with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will serve as a keynote speaker featured during the University of the Pacific’s Black History Month Celebration 2013. Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. During his career with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA champion-ships and a record six regular season MVP awards. In college at UCLA, he played on three consecutive national championship teams, and his high school team won 71 consecutive games. At the time of his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defen-sive rebounds, and personal fouls. Abdul-Jabbar also has been an actor, a basketball coach, and an author. In 2012, he was selected as a U.S. cultural ambassador.

Abdul-Jabbar is also a best-selling author. His first book, the autobiog-raphy “Giant Steps,” was written in 1983 with co-author Peter Knobler. (The book’s title is an homage to jazz great John Coltrane.) His latest, “On

>>community briefs

Something Sweet at the Haggin

Sugar Hearts, and Sacramento artists Rob-O and Imelda Martinez visit the Haggin Museum again for a fantastically sweet and creative activity: decorating molded sugar hearts with colorful icing and adorn-ments. This event is Saturday, Feb. 9. Seatings are 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Each session is limited to 15 students each, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Activities are included with price of regular admission ($8 adults; $7 seniors 65 and up; $5 for youths age 10-17 and students with school ID; free to museum members and children under age 10 accompanied by an adult) and all materials are pro-vided. No reservations are required; just come have fun! For more infor-mation, call (209) 940-6315 or email [email protected].

Valentine Pops with Broadway Tenors

Three of Broadway’s leading men join the Stockton Symphony for an evening of the most beautiful music written for the Broadway stage.

Enjoy your favorite songs from “Chi-cago,” “The Lion King,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Brigadoon,” “West Side Story” and more. Your favorite valentine is going to love this performance! There are two chances to experience the mu-sic: on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2: 30 p.m. Both performances are in the Warren Atherton Auditorium, San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton. Tickets are $22 to $60 per person. For more information, call (209) 951-0196.

Classic Cinema at its Best Fox 40 and Friends of the Fox

presents “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Bob Hope Theatre. Brick, an alcoholic ex-foot-ball player, drinks his days away and resists the affections of his wife, Mag-gie. His reunion with his father, Big Daddy, who is dying of cancer, jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son. This 1958 film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Paul New-man. Tickets are $4 to $8 per person; additional fees apply. For more infor-mation, call (209) 373-1446.

Blues Legend King to Perform at Hope Theatre

B.B. King will perform his unique sound at the Bob Hope Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50 per per-son and can be purchased at the Bob Hope Theatre box office, (209) 373-1700, or at www.stocktonlive.com.

Since the 1950s, there has been only one “King of the Blues” – Riley B. King, affectionately known as B.B. King. Since he began recording in the late 1940s, he has released more than 60 albums. Many are considered blues classics, like 1965’s “Live at the Regal” and 1976’s collaboration with Bobby “Blue” Bland, “Together for the First Time.” King’s singing is richly me-lodic, both vocally and in the “singing” that comes from his guitar. In King’s words, “When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille.”

Backyard Access RequestedIn 2009, the City of Stockton com-

mitted to televising approximately 750 miles of sewer lines throughout the city before the end of 2014. The video inspection will identify blocked or damaged pipes and determine areas that need preventative maintenance or repair. This preventative maintenance will reduce the number of sewer back-ups or spills within the city.

Half of the work is done, but inspec-tors need your assistance to complete the project. Some of the pipes are in easements on private property. The easements allow city workers to ac-cess the pipes for maintenance and repair activities. The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) will alert owners before entering. If no one is home, a door hanger will be left. MUD crews work diligently to make sure they leave the property in the same condition they found it. You can help MUD work crews stay on schedule by allowing them access to the sewer lines in ease-ments on your property. If you have any questions, call MUD at (209) 937-8700.

St. Joseph’s Home Health Among Elite

St. Joseph’s Medical Center has been named among the “2012 HomeCare Elite Top 500” agencies, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. HomeCare Elite analyzes a facility’s quality outcomes, quality im-provement, and financial performance. This is the sixth consecutive year that St. Joseph’s has made HomeCare Elite’s list.

“This honor is earned each year by our incredibly caring staff,” said St. Joseph’s Home Health Director Laura Roberts. “Our goal is to provide high-quality patient care to our patients in the comfort of their own homes so they can live as independently as possible.”

St. Joseph’s Medical Center’s Home Health Care offers patients skilled services at home, including registered nursing care, physical therapy, occupa-tional therapy, speech therapy, home health aide services, and medical social services. St. Joseph’s Home Health Care is a Medicare-certified, licensed, Joint Commission accredited, home health agency that serves patients of all ages – from infants to the elderly.

2013 Susan B. Anthony Awards Announced

The Commission of Status of Women in San Joaquin County is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Susan B. Anthony award. The Commission created this award to honor women who have excelled in their chosen category and have though their dedication, talent and untiring effort, raised the status of humankind in San Joaquin County.

This year’s recipients, honored in their category are:>>La Juana Johnson Bivens, Marie P. Medford, and Linda Verdun-Brown, Community Service>>Mary Fuhs, Science>>Lori Muller Gray and Catherine Mooney, Education>>Loretta Lee, Labor and Employment>>Pam Regan, Religion>>Tori Verber-Salazar, Law and Legal Services

These “Women of Achievement” will be honored at a banquet on Fri-day, Feb. 15, the anniversary of the birth of Susan B. Anthony. The event will be held at the Stockton Golf and Country Club, 3800 Country Club Blvd., Stockton. Reservations are due Friday, Feb. 8. Tickets are $45 each or tables of eight for $360. Registration is 5:30 p.m., and dinner and program at 6 p.m. For more information, call (209) 463-6957.

the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance” and “What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors” were both co-written with Raymond Obstfeld.

For more information about Pacific’s Black History Month Cel-ebration, visit http://go.pacific.edu/blackhistory.

>>tips from the pros


Working Out With Your Partner

By Lurysol Olivera

Working out with your significant other can be fun. But you have to try to re-member through all workouts to en-courage each other and always keep it

positive. Here are some great exercises you can incor-porate with your partner in your workout.

Single-leg partner chest pass. Stand facing your partner, each of you balancing on one leg. Keep your abdominals contracted and your body erect and stable. Pass a medicine ball (or similar-sized item) back and forth to each other using a basketball chest pass. Continue for 30 to 60 seconds on each leg.

Partner shuffle drill. Stand facing your partner. Shuffle for about 10 feet, going one way, while simultaneously tossing a medicine ball back and forth to your partner. Repeat, going the opposite di-rection. Continue for 60 to 120 seconds.

Lunge and chest pass to partner. Start by standing tall with per-fect posture, facing your partner. Lunge forward as you throw the medicine ball to your partner using a chest pass. Your partner will catch the ball while performing a backward lunge. Repeat, lunging forward and backward. Remember to push off the front leg and be sure that your front knee stays over your front foot while lunging. Continue for 30 to 60 seconds each side.

Partner side swing pass. Stand side-by-side about 2 feet from your partner. Maintain perfect posture and keep your abdominals contracted throughout the entire exercise. Keep your arms straight and swing the ball from the outside of your body to the inside; then toss the ball to your partner. Your outside leg will pivot as you ro-tate across your body. Your partner catches the ball and repeats the exercise. Continue for 30 to 90 seconds each side.

V-sits with rotation and pass to partner. Sit on the floor about 1 to 2 feet away from your partner with your knees bent. Sit upright with perfect posture, abdominals contracted tightly throughout the entire exercise. Start by holding the medicine ball into your chest. Now you and your partner recline back a few inches while maintaining perfect posture. Hold that position as you both rotate one way and then the other. Return to the starting position and, once you’re upright, throw the ball to your partner. Your partner will catch it, and you’ll both repeat the exercise. Repeat for 30 to 90 seconds.

Squat and overhead press throw to partner. Start by standing 5 to 6 feet away from your partner. Hold the medicine ball at chest level. Using an overhead press, toss the ball to your partner. Stay square to your partner. Your partner should catch the ball in an overhead position. Be sure to keep your abdominals contracted, your chest out and up, and your shoulders back and down. Continue for 30 to 90 seconds.

Lurysol has been a trainer for 11 years and has owned Combine Fitness for 2 years. The studio is located at 1419 W. Fremont St., right under I-5 in Stockton. Studio number is (209) 463-2326 and her cell phone number is (209) 606-9795.

>>best eats

HAPPY HOUR ALL NIGHT-EVERY NIGHT!

Grey Goose & Don Julio Cocktails $5 Select Appetizers $5

Signature Cocktails $8 Select Beer $3 Select Wine $5

(Valid in bar only)

3121 West Benjamin Holt Dr. | Stockton209.951.0885 | www.lebistrostockton.com

FEATURESFull Bar • To Go Available

Banquet Rooms

The Delta Bistro has a new fresh menu featuring certified Niman Ranch Beef, fresh seafood & local produce. Fine dining in a casual setting

with fantastic waterfront views.Prime Rib Buffet on Thursday starting at 5pm

Sunday Mimosa Brunch 10am-2pm. Breakfast 6-11am, Lunch 11am-2pm, Dinner 5:30-9pm.

www.universityplazawaterfronthotel.com

110 W. Fremont St. | Stockton 209.9944.1140

FEATURESFull Bar • To Go Available • Banquet Rooms

Children’s Menu • Entertainment

The hospitality and catering experts.

Weddings, showers, corporate events, home and office parties. Visit us online

to view our catering and hors d’ oeuvres menus as well as our quiche specials

and box lunch delivery service.

3121 Benjamin Holt Dr. | Stockton209.943.1921 | www.aldermarket.com

FEATURESCatering


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

Come to Bud’s Seafood Grille, where friendly service, hearty portions, and a range of fresh

seafood, pasta, steak and poultry dishes are a staple every day!

Currently taking reservations for Valentine’s Day!

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

FEATURESCocktails • To Go Available • Catering

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.

FEB 4 ROMBAUERFEB 11 PLUMPJACK

FEB 18 JORDANFEB 25 STERLING

501 N. Lincoln Center | Stockton

209.477.6133 | www.papapavlos.com

FEATURES To Go Available • Catering • Cocktails

Children’s Menu • Banquet Rooms

brookside monthly magazine | FEBRUARY 2013 | 1716 | FEBRUARY 2013 | brookside monthly magazine


>>411 in 209

WHEREThe Manteca Senior Center

Join in on the Third Annual Mayors Committee Chili Cook-off on Sun-day, Feb. 24. Tickets purchased prior to the event will get six tastings for $5. These tickets can be purchased at the Manteca Convention & Tourist Bureau, 1422 Grove Ave., or by calling (209) 823-7229. Tast-

ings are 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be chili judging, raffle prizes and vendors. Proceeds benefit arts in the Manteca Mayors Committee on the Arts, which is comprised of 20 different clubs.

Bits of Love— New Jewelry Line

Lodi-based screenwriter and marketer Cheryl Laughlin and

her boyfriend, Caleb Porter, have launched a jewelry line

called “Bits of Love.” Laughlin has worked on local film sets,

commercials, and marketing for 20 years, while also breaking

through with her screenwriting. Porter has worked in the printing

industry for the past 20 years. They combined their love of print and design to create high-quality rings and fun packaging for Bits of Love. Their first solid sterling

silver rings in size seven have the words “Bold, Love, and Hope,” with beautiful gemstones in the

center. Online prices for the rings are $110 each and include free

shipping. The new line of jewelry is also available at Lodi’s City Girl upscale fashion store, 14 W. Pine

St., Stockton. Bits of Love will contribute a percentage of profits to Street Poets Inc., a non-profit, poetry-based peace-making or-ganization. For more information

or to place an order, go to http://bitsoflovestyle.com.

WH

ATto Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with your sweet-heart in Lodi Wine Country on Feb. 9 and 10 during Lodi’s Wine and Chocolate Weekend. Travel from winery to winery while taking hosted activities such as wine and chocolate pairings, live music, barrel tasting

and cellar tours. There are more than 40 participating wineries, so please visit the wineries page for the full list

of activities. There will be plenty of award-winning wine to keep your taste buds and significant other very happy. Tick-

ets now on sale. One ticket is valid for Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit the Wine and Chocolate website at

www.lodiwineandchocoloate.com.

HOW

WHENFeb. 22-24: 51st Almond Blossom Festival in RiponThis event features a Queen Coronation, Lion’s Club spaghetti dinner, carnival at Mistlin Sports Park, Diaper Derby, Fun Run and Almond Blossom Parade. The event is sponsored by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce. The parade is on Circles Historic Ripon/Main Street and Fourth Street. The festival includes crafts and food booths, plus a carnival, in Ripon’s Mistlin Sports Park on River Road and North Ripon Road. The dinner and dance will be at the Ripon Community Center, 334 W. Fourth St. For more information, visit www.riponchamber.org.


>>beyond 209

Cave Into Your CuriosityDiscover the Natural Wonder of Lake Shasta Caverns

By Bernadine Chapman-Cruz | Contributing Writer

Just 20 minutes north of Redding on I-5, California’s largest man-made lake, Lake Shasta, has 400 miles of shoreline. Hidden beneath the McCloud arm of the lake, magnifi-

cent underground caverns await exploration. A privately owned corporation, Lake Shasta Caverns (LSC), offers year-round cavern tours. Dedicated by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark in 2012, over 2.5 million people have visited the caverns since 1964, according to LSC General Manager Matt Doyle.

Two-hour cavern tours begin with a 15-minute scenic ride around the lake on a twin pontoon catama-ran. Arriving at the giant limestone formation on the east shore, a 10-minute bus ride takes guests to the gift shop approximately 850 feet above the lake surface. From this point, tour guides escort visitors into a stunning underground world filled with magnificent surprises around every corner.

“Caves are the last part of our world that remains unexplored,” Doyle said. “Exploring the caverns

on concrete walkways with stainless steel handrails is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” The cavern configura-tions have formed over tens of thou-sands of years, he noted. “[There are] 32 different varieties of cave formations,” he added. “[These] include very rare helectites, formed by water pressure behind a wall that grows by gravity and looks like spaghetti. It’s an amazing sight.”

Underground caverns are in a perpetual state of change. Multi-

Continued on page 22


c o m p l e t e m a r k e t i n g s o l u t i o n s

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CALL 209.932.9252 for detailsMention promo code “BROOKSIDE13”

REALRESULTS

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not all advertising is equal


>>beyond 209

colored fluted columns, magnifi-cent stone draperies in symmetri-cal folds, stalactite and stalagmite formations studded with brilliant crystals, and milky white flowstone deposits in miniature waterfalls are sights to behold. Cameras and videos are welcome. Visitors can capture unusual, graceful configurations, shapes and forms designed by Mother Nature.

Tours are not only visually breathtaking but a wonderful edu-cational experience. The caverns are extremely rich in history, scientific facts, and the beautiful natural geology of the earth’s un-derground physical structure. The tour concludes inside the Cathe-dral Room, a large cavity featuring 60-80 feet drapolites, hanging formations that resemble curtains. The formation gives the appear-ance of flutes on a church organ.

Caves maintain a constant 58 degree temperature and 95 percent humidity year round. “In

this stable environment, life can be sustained,” Doyle said. “The caverns are very diverse as far as biology. Fossils, creepy crawlers, spiders, and an occasional small forest animal can be seen, and it is a great habitat for bats.”

Tours are on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations recommended for group tours of 20 or more.

Tour schedule:October to March: 10 a.m.,

noon, 2 p.m.June to August: Every 30 minutes,

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.April, May and September: Hourly,

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Tours are not handicapped

accessible or recommended for persons with heart conditions, asthma, or knee problems. Lake Shasta dinner cruises are available for a non-strenuous experience of the lake area. Call for information.

Admission is $24 for adults; $14 for children 3-15, and free for ages two and under. A discount coupon is available online.

Lake Shasta Caverns20359 Shasta Caverns Road, Lakehead, CA 96051Open all year – Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

800.795.2284 | fax [email protected] | www.lakeshastacaverns.com

Continued from page 20

BROOKSIDE MONTHLY MAGAZINEBig Monkey Group LLC

94 W. Castle St. #B

Stockton CA 95204

Brookside Housing Market is Hot!

For the month of December in Brookside, 29 homes were for sale, 24 were pending, 10 sold and 6 expired, withdrew or can-celled. For properties sold, the average days on the market were 70, median $ per square footage was $129.59, median sold price was $301,281 and median size was 2261 square feet. Properties currently available are $205,000 to $2.5 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.

Brookside Monthly magazine

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