Herlife Magazine Central Valley

07/26/2024

Chef Lacey Franklin Brings Seasonal Cuisine to Oak Farm Vineyards

Chef Lacey Franklin hit the ground running when she joined Lodi’s Oak Farm Vineyards in April to establish a farm-to-fork culinary experience for the public and wine club members. Inspired by the variety of fresh ingredients grown onsite and regionally, the chef designed an all-day menu offering gourmet breakfasts, lunches and sharable items such as charcuterie boards and house-made gnocchi. “People love good food,” Lacey said, crediting the owners of Oak Farm Vineyards, Heather and Dan Panella, with giving her every tool needed to provide it.

The Oak Farm tasting room is a harmonious blend of wood, stone and warm lighting elegantly welcoming guests to socialize around the 28-seat bar or relax in plush leather club chairs arranged spaciously beside the soaring fireplace. There are other beautiful event spaces, indoors and out, to accommodate gatherings of various sizes. Visitors are free to enjoy food and wine almost anywhere on the property, a serene rambling estate verdant with shade trees, lush lawns, bocce courts and lovely views. Every Thursday, starting at 4 p.m., guests can be found sipping Oak Farm Vineyard’s award-winning wines and getting comfortable for an evening of live music, food and socializing.

Dive into the culinary journey of the extraordinary Chef Lacey Franklin here:
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/chef-lacey-franklin-brings-seasonal-cuisine-to-oak-farm-vineyards/

07/24/2024

A Class of Her Own: Faith Gomez, Stockton’s Newest Rising Star

“Discipline and a strong mindset are the key,” 14-year-old Faith Gomez asserted. She wakes up at 3:00 a.m. to start her day, and while most people are asleep in their beds, Faith heads to the gym to complete a two-hour intensive workout that often involves strength training and conditioning. Returning home, she eats a protein-based breakfast and gets ready for school by 8:00 a.m. only to go back to the gym right after school for another two-hour session of training and sparring.

Sacrifice and mastery such as these have paid off. As the 2023 USA Boxing Junior Olympics Silver Champion and USA Boxing National Gold Champion, both in the 110-pound Female Intermediate division, Faith has already made a name for herself in the boxing world, and she continues to add to these accolades.

Faith’s success and initial interest in boxing started four years ago with the influence and example of her father and coach, Simon Gomez. “I got into boxing because I had inspiration from my dad, who was training in MMA, or mixed marital arts, at the time. I always thought it was interesting seeing my dad train, so I asked him if I could start boxing. I didn’t know at the time that boxing and MMA were two different sports, but I preferred boxing.” Faith described. She quickly realized that training and competing are not for the faint of heart and required a great deal of drive
and focus.

Continue reading about how Faith balances her sport with her studies and enjoying life outside the ring while receiving strong support from her Stockton community.
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/a-class-of-her-own-faith-gomez-stocktons-newest-rising-star/

07/23/2024

Marina Shopping Center History, Family and Vision

If you’ve lived in Stockton long enough, there’s a very good chance that the name Grupe is highly familiar to you. Perhaps you recognize it from Fritz Grupe Park, or maybe you’re well acquainted with just how much of Stockton the Grupe family has left their stamp on as builders and developers. From large master-planned communities such as Brookside and Quail Lakes to commercial office and retail to self-storage properties, whether you know it or not, they’re responsible for many places we know well in San Joaquin County.

One of the most familiar and beloved of the local spots that exist thanks to the Grupe family is the Marina Shopping Center. A brief bit of history: that little section of Stockton first came to be with the construction of Lincoln Village West, which was developed by Live in Lincoln Village and Live, also known as LILVAL, the company that preceded the Grupe Company. Nearly a decade after that neighborhood was built, the Village Square Shopping Center was developed, although today it is known as the Marina Shopping Center. Now managed by the Grupe Huber Company, it is just as much an important piece of local history as it is an integral part of the neighborhood where it’s anchored.

The ongoing success of this shopping center is due to a few factors, one being that it was built when shopping options in that area were nonexistent, making it a necessity. “When my parents built that center 50 years ago, there was no neighborhood grocery store there,” said Sandy Grupe Huber, Grupe Huber’s co-owner and principal, and daughter of Fritz and Phyllis Grupe. In fact, prior to Lincoln Village West’s construction, the area was farmland. “And I-5 didn’t exist, so you had to drive quite a way away to shop because Lincoln Village West was kind of its own little island peninsula. And they felt it was really important for the residents to have a neighborhood place to shop.”

Continue reading about The Marina Shopping Center's renovation featuring family-friendly outdoor spaces, improved functionality, and a focus on personal service and community legacy.
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/inspirations/marina-shopping-center-history-family-and-vision/

07/19/2024

Congratulations to Bud's Seafood Grille for being awarded and featured in San Joaquin Magazine! 🏆✨

Proud winners of Best seafood, best clam chowder & best Sunday brunch in San Joaquin county! Thank you to all of our loyal customers for your votes and support! #209

07/18/2024

Tomorrow the Lincoln Center summer concert series is BACK ON! 🙌🎸☀️ The music starts at 6pm, so let's dance the night away. 🕺 Enjoy live music from Kyle Kirch on the Brickwalk stage. 🎶

07/17/2024

This heartwarming note from The Unicorn Society truly brightened our day! 🦄✨ If you haven't already, be sure to check out their feature in our May issue!

www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/ask-the-expert/i-love-my-community-the-unicorn-society-where-girls-sparkle-and-shine/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEFDD5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUVHTQIjK4vMOBJv1MbEEPy_YBOVCMbXWuyElfJQqr2A3xTvscg48Vz-JQ_aem_MNIHqfMDAyvp85IfiVrMpQ

07/15/2024

Get ready for a night of family fun! Join CAPC of San Joaquin County and Lincoln Center on Friday, August 16th, from 6-9pm for individual duck races, a dunk tank, carnival games, slides, and train rides! Don't miss your chance to adopt a rubber duck for just $5 each. Donate online at www.capcducks.com and be part of the excitement! 🦆🎉🚂

Join us on August 16th for the 10th Annual Ducky Derby at Lincoln Center!😎🐥

Enjoy an unforgettable night filled with thrilling duck races, exciting carnival games, and delightful train rides for the whole family.🧡💛

Don't miss your chance to win the GRAND PRIZE of $2,000! Get your ducks today at www.capcducks.com!

07/12/2024

Get ready for an exciting weekend at the 42nd Italian Family Festa on August 3rd and 4th! Share the experience with friends and family as you savor authentic Italian foods and enjoy fantastic live entertainment. There’s something for everyone, including fun for kids, great music, stunning Italian cars, engaging cooking demos, and a thrilling grape stomp!

Visit www.italianfamilyfestasj.org/ for more information!

07/10/2024

Kentucky Derby West

Sipping mint juleps while watching the Kentucky Derby in real time on a jumbotron, guests donning Derby attire with big hats enjoyed southern hospitality at this unique fundraising event. The festivities also included savory small bites, a live auction and many raffle prizes! Sargent Equestrian Center was the perfect venue for the May 4 Kentucky Derby West benefiting Hospice of San Joaquin.

07/08/2024

Experience a summer of family fun with the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum! A series of engaging family activity days featuring crafts, entertainment, stories, poetry, and other museum activities, all centered around different cultural themes.

Designed for ages K-12 (though all are welcome), the curriculum offers something for everyone. Fees are $20 per child over 2 years old, with one accompanying caregiver admitted free of charge; additional adults are $20 each. Children aged 0-2 enter for free, and strollers are recommended.

Please note that there is a $5.00 entry fee for Micke Grove Park, where the museum is located. However, museum members enjoy complimentary parking in Micke Grove Park.

07/05/2024

Grand Re-Opening

The Lodi Women’s Club celebrated in grand style for the re-opening of their center after a devastating roof collapse last year. April 20 was an afternoon filled with joy after the long journey to rebuild the club. The community came together along with club members to enjoy a delightful afternoon. Congratulations to all who pulled together to restore the Lodi Women’s Club!

07/02/2024

Calidad Security: Always Watching

Historically, protecting a place of business meant installing a burglar alarm or hiring a security guard. Both came with certain challenges, not the least of which was the expense. It can cost $10,000 a month to have a guard on site nightly, and even then, complications frequently arise.

But times have changed and the statistics are actually improving, said Blake Smallie, CEO of Calidad Services, Inc., a security and technology company that he started in 2018 with his father, Dennis Smallie, a retired lieutenant with Stockton Police Department and security expert with over 40 years’ experience.

In addition to remotely guarding private businesses such as car dealerships and construction sites, Calidad Services provides the same service to all of the Miracle Mile as well as other shopping areas. In March 2024 alone, their systems caught and deterred 350 trespassers before they could commit further crime.

The Technology
“The one thing most people are still unaware of,” said Blake, “is that such preventive systems even exist and that the cost savings is huge.” Blake’s passion for cutting-edge technology and his background in business entrepreneurship alchemize perfectly with his father’s expertise in law enforcement and executive security services. Together they have fine-tuned the art of 24/7 remote security for a fraction of the cost.

“Our approach is proactive, not reactive,” Blake explained. “Because each of our security systems is guarded remotely by a trained expert, we can recognize a potential situation and help intervene before it even happens. Traditional alarms go off after someone breaks in; ours go off in time to help prevent the crime altogether.” Aided by artificial intelligence, or AI, their systems detect humans and vehicles for the operators to assess. This often leads to providing valuable assistance to law enforcement while working to keep their clients’ sites safe.

Continue reading about their monitoring and dedication: www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/business/calidad-security-always-watching/

06/30/2024

Always something fun at Ginger Bugs

Here are the events at the Bug for the next couple weeks!
All “extras” are included with your admission!

Join Us:
July 3 for our 4th of July Celebration 🇺🇸❤️💙🧨

📣REMINDER📣
WE ARE CLOSED THURSDAY JULY 4 AND FRIDAY JULY 5

CLOSING AT NOON
WEDNESDAY JULY 10 for Summer Camp
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
Due to hot temps, we will keep our blinds closed to keep the temp down. But we’re still open!! 👋
Hope to see you for
📖S T O R Y T I M E
🎹M U S I C T I M E
🔮S E N S O R Y T I M E
🪩W I G G L E & M O V E
Open playtime:
Mon-Fri 8:30am-1:30pm
Tag a friend and meet them at the Bug! 🧡💚

06/28/2024

New Life Program Scholarship Gala

Stockton Golf and Country Club was the setting for the Gospel Center Rescue Mission’s 2024 New Life Program Scholarship Gala. Sponsors, Gospel Center staff and students and friends of the mission gathered for an evening of inspiration and encouragement while raising funds for those seeking a renewed life.

06/27/2024

Join us on August 16th for the 10th Annual Ducky Derby at Lincoln Center!😎🐥

Enjoy an unforgettable night filled with thrilling duck races, exciting carnival games, and delightful train rides for the whole family.🧡💛

Don't miss your chance to win the GRAND PRIZE of $2,000 or FREE Chick-Fil-A for YEAR! Get your ducks today at www.capcducks.com!

06/26/2024

Summer is finally here, and it's time to celebrate! Need a delicious recipe for your next BBQ or potluck? Dive into these mouthwatering Pulled Pork Sliders with Blue Cheese Slaw! ☀️🍔

Ingredients:
PORK
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3½ lb. boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut into
2-inch pieces
¾ cup chicken broth
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup barbecue sauce
Slider Buns

SLAW
¼ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon celery salt
4 cups coleslaw mix
½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)

Directions
Pork: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper. Rub mixture all over pork. Place in 5-quart slow cooker. Pour broth and half of the vinegar over pork. Cover and cook on High heat setting 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Slaw: In medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, vinegar, brown sugar, celery salt and blue cheese if using. Stir in coleslaw mix. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 4 hours. Remove pork to cutting board and shred using 2 forks. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid. In medium bowl, mix reserved cooking liquid with barbecue sauce and remaining vinegar; return to slow cooker with shredded pork. Cover and cook on high heat setting about 20 minutes or until warmed.

Recipe by Lauren Lane. Learn more at lauren-lane.com.

06/24/2024

Heroes Honored

Rotary Club of Stockton held their annual Heroes Award at Stockton Golf and Country Club on May 1, 2024. Honorees recognized were: Capt. Rossi Zaragoza, Stockton Fire Department; Officer Francisco Rangel, California Highway Patrol; Officer John Van Dyk, Stockton Police Department; and Detective Jimmy Fritts, San Joaquin County Sheriff.

06/21/2024

The Steamer Trunk that Saved Racing History

Imagine driving as fast as you can down San Francisco’s Lombard Street during the 1906 earthquake in a heavy open-wheel race car with no seat belts and very small brakes, trying to dodge the hundreds of spectators crowding the course and avoiding other race cars that have crashed. Welcome to the early days of motorsports racing.

The era between the dawn of the automobile in 1885 to World War I is known as the Pre-War Era, when brave men and women–yes, there were several famous female drivers–would risk their lives to compete in skinny-tired behemoth race cars on dirt roads, up mountains or around banked-oval board tracks.

As exciting and important as this era was, it had almost been forgotten until Brian Blain of Visalia, California, inherited a steamer trunk from a deceased friend. What he found in that trunk started a journey that led to the creation of the Ragtime Racers, a group of owner/enthusiasts that collect, restore and race the original race cars from over 100 years ago, and, thankfully, preserve the automotive history of an era that started it all.

Coupled with his own passion for vintage racing and discovery of a major road race held in his town of Visalia in 1913, Blain searched until he found and restored a 1917 National Racer. He took it to vintage race events where it garnered the interest of spectators and racers alike. Nothing else in the paddock looked anything like the high-slung, two-man dark blue beast with wooden wheels. Most race cars from the pre-WWI era used huge-displacement engines that ran at low rpm and had tiny brakes mounted on the rear wheels, which have the least effect stopping; that was not a simple or reliable task. Fortunately, many of the early races were held on dirt, so the driver could “plow” the car into a turn to slow it. Drivers did not wear seat belts so they could exit the car in case of a rollover or impending crash. Of course, many did not survive and so race car drivers developed a respect and reputation for almost insane bravery.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/the-steamer-trunk-that-saved-racing-history/

06/19/2024

Guinness The Rambunctious Retriever

Q: What’s your full name?
A: Guinness Sinnock

Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I am a very happy, easy-going guy. I’m protective of my family and friends so I bark at the doorbell, the lawn mower and the garbage cans when they get rolled out to the street. I will sit so close to you I’m practically on top of you and like to sleep head-first under the covers, spooning with my mom.

Q: What’s your favorite vacation spot?
A: I love, love, love when I get to go, especially when it’s to my cabin in Lake Tahoe. Dad says this cool picture of me and my ball in the lake just screams Tahoe!

Q: And when you get to go along?
A: Guys, my cabin is so much fun! I chase my ball, go on walks, play with my friend Kobe, jump into snow drifts, swim in the biggest pool ever, and bark at real and imaginary wildlife. Bears, bobcats, bunnies, coyotes and raccoons, oh my! Did I mention chasing
my ball?

Q: Your best play spot?
A: I make the rounds in my neighborhood several times a day to say hello to neighbors and workers. If a garage door is open or there’s a new person, I’ll sit and stare until I know everything is okay. My mom says I’m nosy; I say I’m doing my job. I also love going to the greenbelt to chase the ball and play in what my mom says is the only mud puddle in Stockton.

Learn more about Guinness' obsession, guilty pleasure, and his favorite treat in the latest issue of Herlife.
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/wag-tales/guinness-the-rambunctious-retriever/

06/17/2024

Sanborn Chevrolet in Lodi is celebrating its 53rd year, and Kini Sobon couldn’t be happier to celebrate as she leads the organization into the future. While growing up, Kini occasionally helped around her father’s thriving automotive dealership. Many years later, when she had made a name for herself in the luxury hospitality industry in places such as Napa, Barcelona and Seattle, it became evident her professional expertise was the ideal match for the changing needs of her family’s dealership.

“In 2017, my father, Richard Sanborn, was concerned because the dealership was not performing to GM’s expectations and he was not able to have his executive manager at the time accepted onto the GM Franchise Addendum. GM must approve you to become the Dealer, a process which is very exacting,” she explained. Kini shared with her father that there were numerous opportunities she was seeing from running major hotels and working for large investment groups that were needed for the dealership to excel in sales and marketing. She offered to work with the team one weekend a month to assist them with these items.

Shortly afterward came the life-changing question that planted the seed for what she would decide to do next. Her father asked, “Well, if you can run big businesses like this for other investment groups, why aren’t you running our family business?” After careful consideration, in 2018, she decided to join the family business and undertake the process of modernizing the dealership. This was the beginning of her journey to becoming an authorized GM Chevrolet Dealer herself.

Continue reading:
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/gm-dealer-kini-sanborn-sobon-a-driving-force-in-leadership/

06/14/2024

Dan Lane: I Love My Community

HLM: What do you love most about where you and your family live?
DL: I have lived here all my life in Stockton and Lodi, except for when I was in the service from 1968 to 1972. I’m a former United States Marine. What I love the most about living here is the people. There is so much diversity, yet we have so much commonality that draws us together like magnets.

HLM: How is your heart inspired to serve the community?
DL: My heart is inspired and dedicated to serving veterans and I am called by God to serve in men’s ministry. I absolutely love the Kiwanis function in serving the youth. I enthusiastically look forward to serving the Lodi PD as a chaplain.

HLM: What sparks joy for you?
DL: My church family and the youth program we have there sparks joy in my life as well as the Kiwanis Key Club, which serves high schoolers, and Circle K, which services college students. I am excited to continue to meet veterans and honor their service.

HLM: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
DL: I am absolutely dumbfounded that I was able to serve 42 years with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement is not a vocation, it’s an avocation. I have made so many friends and helped so many people. I have numerous memories that are positive while as a law enforcement officer. I worked alongside many wonderful officers.

Learn more about Dan's passions, goals and favorite quote in the latest issue of Herlife.
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/i-love-my-community/i-love-my-community-dan-lane/

06/12/2024

Ed Sullivan, a retired state employee who is currently working at Saint Mary’s High School as front desk receptionist, recently sat down with HERLIFE Magazine to discuss his family, involvement in the community and dreams for the future.

HLM: What do you love most about where you and your family live?
ES: I have lived here for 48 years. I moved to Stockton from San Francisco when I was getting married and I bought my first home. It took a few years to adjust to the hot weather but I love living in Stockton. I am about two hours from places like Tahoe, the Foothills, Sonoma, Sacramento, to name a few. Stockton also has wineries just up the road in Lodi.

HLM: How is your heart inspired to serve the community?
ES: Giving back to the community is my work at Saint Mary’s High School, Hospice of San Joaquin, Presentation Church and working events with Visit Stockton. My children attended and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. What a great community they have and working with the students and staff is a great way to give back to the community. Volunteering with Hospice of San Joaquin is another way I give back. My mom was in hospice in San Francisco and what a great organization hospice is.

Learn more about Ed's passions, bucket list goals, and accomplishments in the latest issue of Herlife.
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/i-love-my-community/i-love-my-community-ed-sullivan/

06/10/2024

Pipe Dream Sk8 Co.: Much More Than a Pipe Dream

The story behind Pipe Dream Sk8 Co., like many others, begins by chance. “It was in 2020, during the pandemic, and I was bored out of my mind,” said Aaron Sass, who runs the company out of his home’s garage in Lodi. A friend of his was getting rid of some woodworking tools, and although he had no experience in woodworking himself, he decided to see what he could do with them. It turned out to be a life-changing experiment.

“When I was thinking about what to build, the first thing that came to mind was skateboarding, so I figured I’d just build a longboard. It turned out not so great,” he recalled with a laugh. “It was pretty ugly. But I learned a lot with it.”

He found a place in Stockton called MacBeath Hardwood that sold different kinds of wood, and he went there to learn even more. Then he made his first real longboard, and after putting pictures of it on social media, found himself receiving multiple requests to make more. Soon, his pandemic hobby had become a business venture, and his reach had already gone beyond the Central Valley.
One of the many people who had their interest piqued by Aaron’s boards was none other than Wes Humpston, a man who is widely considered to be the pioneer of skateboard art. His history goes all the way back to the early legends of skateboarding, the Santa Monica and Venice Z-Boys of the 1970s who paved the way for the Bones Brigade skateboarding team that Aaron grew up admiring; skateboarding legend Tony Hawk was a member. Today, Wes still makes art for the decks of boards under his own company, Bulldog Skates. And now, Aaron is designing boards for Wes.

“I nearly fell out of my seat when he contacted me on social media,” recalled Aaron. “He asked if I could build him some blank boards, using just maple, that he could put some art on.” Wes sent some templates for Aaron, and they included a wedge tail. “I had never done a design with a wedge tail before, but I figured it out and now he’s ordered 11 boards from me.”

Continue reading about Pipe Dream Sk8 Co.:
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/business/pipe-dream-sk8-co-much-more-than-a-pipe-dream/

06/08/2024

It’s all coming together. See you tomorrow! For story on Festa-Italiana 209 check out the Herlife June issue.

06/07/2024

Tokay High School, Walk For The Health Of It

Lodi Memorial Foundation hosts Walk for the Health of It every spring, an event that encourages community members to get out and be active, even those who are unable to walk. To assist these participants, the Tokay High School football team steps off the field, and the players step behind a wheelchair!

They arrive early on event day to be trained in wheelchair safety protocols, and then head to two different assisted living facilities to pick up their Walk for the Health of It partner for the event. Many of these participants are patiently waiting in the lobby when the football players arrive. The players caringly wheel their walk partner over to Lodi Memorial Hospital to enjoy all the pre-event festivities. They stroll them from booth to booth, engage with them in warmup exercises, enjoy snacks and fun conversations. When it’s game time, the football players take their walk partner in their wheelchairs to the starting line! The walk is a mile long.

"I love seeing the faces of the people the players are assisting. They look forward to our boys helping them out every year. The kids have so much fun talking and hearing old football stories from some of the men using wheelchairs. It's also a great way for our kids to bond outside of school and football. Our kids leave feeling very fortunate to give back," stated head coach Collin Rhoads.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/spark-joy/tokay-high-school-walk-for-the-health-of-it/

06/05/2024

Each year, San Joaquin County celebrates its Italian heritage with Festa Italiana, a cultural event showcasing some of the region’s most delightful products and people from the local Italian community. Food is famously central to the Italian lifestyle and is just as important at this celebration. In addition to a classic car show, many vendors will participate, including some famous, long-time favorites local food vendors.

Two of the many highlights at Festa Italiana are the Boss of the Sauce contest and the Chef Demo Kitchen. Boss of the Sauce, sponsored by Pietro’s Trattoria, features six different sauces prepared by local professional and home chefs! “Judges” who pay $5 each to participate use Genova Bakery baguettes to dip into the sauce. An added bonus for being a judge is the jar of Bruno’s Peppers they get to take home! The Chef Demo Kitchen, sponsored by Gene and Dianne Gini of Collins Electrical, is always packed with festivalgoers wanting to get tips on making traditional Italian food. Gary Giovanetti is certainly the “Boss” of the Festa kitchen. In all, five chefs will be giving cooking demonstrations, from Italian cocktails to focaccia bread!

Keep reading to discover more about Bruno's Peppers, Genova Bakery, and delicious recipes!
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/festa-favorites/

Save the date for this year's Festa-Italiana 209 on Sunday, June 9th! Visit www.festa-italiana.com/ for ticket information.

06/04/2024

Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence! 🎉 Today the Builders Exchange of San Joaquin County celebrates 100 years of unwavering dedication, growth, and success. Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone, and a special shoutout to the 2024 scholarship winners!

06/03/2024

Introducing our radiant June cover, Art Coleman! Let's dive into this month's issue! 🎶

A humble man, Arthur Coleman, Jr. is not inclined to self-congratulation. Despite his great gift for music and teaching, recognition was never his goal. Still, that recognition was bound to come. In 2004, Arthur Coleman, who goes by Art, was named California Teacher of the Year and in June 2022, Stockton Unified School District honored him by unveiling their new administration building named for him—an honor almost never bestowed upon the living. Among his many achievements, he has collaborated with Stockton Symphony Conductor Peter Jaffe on special projects such as conducting live performances of music written by the great Duke Ellington.

How does someone who wasn’t looking for recognition end up with so much of it?
To understand his life journey as a positive role model in the community, Art said you have to start with the influence his parents had on him and the way they modeled interpersonal relationships. It was his upbringing that prepared him for the work he has done in adulthood. “I’m a PK,” he explained, “that’s pastor’s kid. My father was a minister in Stockton my entire childhood. In 1942, he came from the Texas-Louisiana area, met my mother in the early 50s, and I was born in 1958.”

Art didn’t realize it as a kid, but in his parents’ Sunday school classes, he was already absorbing their gentle approach and basic teaching techniques. In adulthood, it came as a surprise when he found himself implementing their style in his classroom. He adds that spending six years in his youth doing musicals in Bob Manning’s summer drama group, South Stockton Community Theater, gave him additional methods for making people comfortable with talking and expressing themselves in front of others. A graduate of UOP, Art credits his pedagogy learned there as well as his own ideas and “a lot of common sense” when it comes to his overall success as an instructor.

Learn more about how Art emphasizes balance, passion, and the power of music in our latest issue.
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/inspirations/art-coleman-its-all-about-how-music-makes-you-feel/