63. Zenet Negron & Cari Giannecchini - May 23, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton. On this week's show:

Welcome to May 23rd!! Glad to see you are all still here!

This weekend starts the Memorial Day weekend and it is a busy one in Stockton; among the many events on the schedule are:

The 3rd Annual Mayor's Hike & Bike kicks off the weekend at UOP.

Hikers and bikers can have a great time and help to raise money to benefit the nutrition programs of Catholic Charities and the Emergency Food Bank. Bikers can pick from three different routes and walkers will make their way to Banner Island Ballpark. For more information visit their website.

Banner Island Ballpark will host it's first ever Brewfest from 5pm to 9pm.

Come out and enjoy a night at the ballpark while sampling several frosty adult beverages, live music and more than likely amazing Stockton weather. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event. Check out the official Brewfest page, or "RSVP" on their Facebook page.

Delta College Radio, Television & Film students showcase their work at Mediafest III.

Check out some of the productions from the talented young ladies and gentlemen of the Delta RTV&F department. Every media genre will be represented in this star studded affair. Festivities kick off at 5pm with a chance to meet and greet the minds behind the works as well as several industry professionals. Check here for a full schedule of events as well as more information on the entries.

An interview with Zenet Negron & Cari Giannecchini.

Zenet Negron & Cari Giannecchini

Zenet and Cari host a series of interviews on YouTube with some of Stockton's most interesting and influential figures, including our own Matt Beckwith. They are also the operators of Breaking Stockton News, a website that combines real time info from Twitter to keep Stockton residents in the know about the goings on in the city. On top of all that, the two own First Priority Financial, a business dedicated to assisting home buyers through the sometimes daunting real estate process.

Follow us on Twitter at @PodcastStockton and @rjvillagomez (and be sure to catch him on the air on KWIN and at the Ports home games)

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

62. Jennifer Boylan, Community Center for the Blind - May 10, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton. On this week's show:

We hope everyone enjoyed their Mother's Day.

Cinco de Mayo. One of us ate pizza, the other ate Mexican food.

Jennifer Boylan

An interview with Jennifer Boylan from the Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Jennifer is the captain of the blind baseball team but also does marketing and community relations for the Blind Center. Her organization helps visually impaired people learn new skills to help them live more independent lives. They have a couple of great events coming up. This Sunday, come out and join the Indian Association of San Joaquin County in a walk along the beautiful Downtown Waterfront Promenade. With proceeds benefitting the Blind Center, we really hope to see you out there.

Fore! Golfers can help send the Stockton Stingrays to the National Beep Ball Association World Series. The annual tournament is being held on June 11 at Oakmoore Golf Course. For info or to pay by credit card please contact Bonnie (209) 466-3836 or print a flyer & registration form here.

Pacific Students make documentary response to Forbes list. Out of Our Misery - Stockton's Saga as the Most Miserable City is a great perspective on the criteria used by the editors at Forbes to create their Most Miserable Cities list. Check out the video here, and the University of the Pacific news release.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

Running time: 28 minutes, 30 seconds

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61. Pat Filippone, Stockton Ports - May 4, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton. On this week's show:

The Stockton Weekend Activities Guide from Wes Rhea and the Stockton Conference and Visitor's Bureau. Be sure to sign-up for their weekly e-mail newsletter.

A review of last weekend's Walk A Mile In Her Shoes. The 4th annual event put on by the Women's Center of San Joaquin County was last weekend. See the last post for links to pics.

An interview with Stockton Ports President, Pat Filippone. Rod sat down with Pat to discuss minor league baseball and your Stockton Ports.

A few things to do on Cinco de Mayo. Lots of great places to hang out with friends on Cinco de Mayo.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes 2011

Today, I walked a mile in her shoes. This was my second year participating in this event in Stockton which was, once again, held at the Banner Island Ballpark. Although this was Stockton's fourth annual Walk A Mile event, the event's roots go back to 2001. My brother and I arrived at the home of our Stockton Ports this morning just after 8 AM and each picked out a pair of gorgeous pumps. Since I don't know all of the lingo, let's say they were high and they were skinny.

Before the walk began, all of the men gathered in one section of the ballpark and heard from Amanda King from KWIN and Joelle Gomez, Women's Center Executive Director. We also joined Lt. David Sant, from the Tracy Police Department, in a pledge to do our part to end sexual violence. Amanda King read a letter that was sent to the Women's Center by a rape survivor. It told of how she was poisoned, raped and left for dead. She made it to the hospital where they treated her physical trauma. She credited the Women's Center for saving her life. It was a somber moment for us all and a good reminder of why we were walking.

This year, the walk went around the ballpark three times (twice last year) which was right at one mile. JR and I started around the middle of the pack but ended up coming in last. Once again, there was a lot of support along the way. And we needed it! The crowd yelling by the starting line really helped with each lap.

We had a great time and only hurt a little at the end. It's always great to see the community come out and support causes like this, even though I'd prefer to live in a world where this type of event wasn't needed.

Check out the pictures from today (graciously taken by my wife) - Facebook or Flickr.

60. Podcast Stockton for Monday, April 25, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton. On this week's show:

Rod, Splash and Matt

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes. The 4th Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes is this Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Banner Island Ballpark. Every 90 seconds a woman is raped in this country. This event asks men to come walk a mile in her shoes to protest rape, sexual assault and gender violence. And by "walk a mile in her shoes" they literally mean a mile in ladies shoes. Matt sat down with Lisa Jordan from the Women's Center of San Joaquin County to talk about this great event as well as the history of the center and what services they offer.

Last year, Matt and Rod both walked the mile, in pointy toe and spiky heal shoes. Registration starts at 8 AM and the walk starts at 9 AM. Come out and walk a mile in her shoes, or come out and watch Matt and friends try it without falling. Walkers receive a free event tee shirt and a voucher for a Stockton Ports game. For more information on the national movement, visit walkamileinhershoes.org.

The 80th Annual Strawberry Breakfast is this Sunday at UOP. The University of the Pacific Center for Community Involvement (CCI) is hosting its 80th Annual Strawberry Breakfast Sunday, May 1st, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at University of the Pacific's Regent's Dining Room. This annual event normally happens on Mother's Day but was moved one week early this year.

The return of Sports with Lowell Tuckerman.

The 1st Annual Steelhead Festival is this Sunday! This inagural event is this Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM at Tuxedo Avenue, right off the Miracle Mile. The Steelhead Festival is a free community event to help educate citizens on issues affecting our local water ways. There will be slow-cooking demonstrations and live music (including The Afternaps and Mom's Chili Boys). Here's a link to the schedule of events. Also, on Monday, May 2, the Friends of the Lower Calaveras River are hosting a State of Our Rivers Symposium at the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) Regional Building at 330 E. Channel St.

Prowlin' Pacific was last Saturday. Matt gives his review of last weekend's event. Yet another free community event, this year on the grounds of the University of the Pacific. There was a car show, lots of games and things for kids to do, and some great live local music (including Matt's favorite local band, Snap Jackson & The Knock On Wood Players and Latin Magic). Check out the pictures here and a short video here.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

59. Joey Chestnut - April 18, 2011

Joey Chestnut, Asparagus Festival

A wrap-up of the 26th Annual Asparagus Festival. Matt talks to the champion, Joey Chestnut, and Matt Stonie who took third-place in the deep fried asparagus eating contest. With great weather this past weekend, the crowds were out in force this year. Check out the rest of the pictures here and a short video featuring The California Repercussions.

What's the best Pizza in Stockton? We ask our Facebook fans about their favorites and the winner, so far, is Michael's Pizza. Add your vote!

Stockton is Magnificent! The Miracle Mile is hosting this event to show just what we think of their list. Matt sat down with Danielle, a student from Pacific that is helping with the event. Learn the flash mob dance here.

We talk sports with Lowell Tuckerman. SJ Delta Girl's Softball goes undefeated! And the Stockton Ports.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

Chestnut Does It Again

Joey Chestnut did not disappoint his many fans in Stockton today. He easily beat out the rest of the field this afternoon and earned a new world record. At the end of 10 minutes, he had consumed 9 pounds, 5.2 ounces of deep fried asparagus. Chestnut, the 27 year old competitor from San Jose who took the stage amidst cheers from the crowd, has held the world records for eating pork ribs, steak, chicken wings and Krystal burgers. He already broke the asparagus eating world record in 2008 when he ate 8.6 pounds of our favorite fried veggie.

For those of you that never seen competitive eating up close and personal, here's a short video I shot.

Stonie, Chestnut, and Bertoletti

Matt Stonie, the 18-year-old new-comer from San Jose, debuted today on the competitive eating scene and took third place just behind second place finisher, Patrick Bertoletti. Come back on Monday for our next episode of Podcast Stockton to hear from Joey Chestnut and Matt Stonie.

And check out the pictures from today's event.

Stockton Ports 2011 Home Opener

Baseball is back in Stockton. Tonight, the Stockton Ports defeated the Modesto Nuts 3-1 in their 2011 home opener.

After the Stockton Thunder lost to the Utah Grizzlies in the first round of the ECHL playoffs, and we all find ourselves with a hockey hang over, it's time to go out and root for our boys of summer.

I love going to opening day. Running in to old friends and seeing the crowd cheer for their local team is always awesome. And don't forget about the great food (Kinders and How Ya Bean are my favorites) and Kids Zone. Tonight my daughter and I each tried out the Speed Pitch. With my three pitches at 44 MPH I doubt any scouts will be calling me.

With almost 70 home games between now and the beginning of September, make sure you get out to a game! Go Ports!

58. Kate Post, Emily Ballus, Mark Wills - April 11, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton. This week, we are joined by three special guests. In this episode:

The Asparagus Festival is this weekend! Rod sits down with Kate Post, Asparagus Festival Executive Director, to talk about what's new for this year's event. The 26th annual Asparagus Festival runs Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17 in downtown Stockton. Nothing says springtime in Stockton like deep fried asparagus, and our new favorite, asparagus ice cream! For more information, visit asparagusfest.com.

The Great Stockton Asparagus Festival Dine out was a hit with Matt! There was not enough hours in the day to sample all of the great asparagus dishes at the 25 participating restaurants. There was time, however, to visit Angelina's, Whirlow's and Midtown Creperie & Cafe for some excellent dishes. What a perfect way to lead in to the Asparagus Festival.

Emily Ballus joins Matt to talk about the launch of Q Productions and a couple of concerts coming to the Stockton Empire Theatre. After spending some time with the California Cougars and the Miracle Mile, Emily is now focused on bringing entertainment events to Stockton. This Friday, Q Productions, Food 4 Less and Rancho San Miguel present country music recording artist, Mark Wills.

Mark Wills

Country Music recording artist, Mark Wills calls into the show to discuss his start in country music and his concert this Friday at the Empire Theatre. His hits include "Jacob's Ladder", "Don't Laugh At Me", "I Do (Cherish You)", and "19 Somethin'". His newest song is "Looking For America". Of course, you can find his music on iTunes. For tickets and information on his show on April 15 at the Stockton Empire Theatre, visit qproductionsco.com or call 209-594-1669.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod

57. Susan Mora-Loyko, Stockton Earth Day Festival - April 4, 2011

Welcome to Podcast Stockton, the show all about the great life in Stockton, and a day early this week. In this episode:

The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out. With the Asparagus Festival just around the corner, now is a great time to get out to some of our great local restaurants to try some amazing dishes featuring locally grown asparagus. The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out runs through April 10. Check out all of the great menu items here.

Susan Mora-Loyko joins us to talk about the 23rd Annual Stockton Earth Day Festival. This year's festival is on Sunday, April 10 at Victory Park. The festival kicks off with yoga at 10:00 AM and the family fun bike ride at 10:30. There's a ton of great entertainment with The Bad Goods, Baraata, Odessa and Sugar Water Purple. Jeni Swerdlow from DRUMMM will end our event again with her awesome drum circle. Admission is free and there are lots of fun (and educational) things for kids. Oh, and did we mention that Matt will be the emcee again this year. Bring the whole family for a fun day!

Terrestrial radio is still out there. Rod reminds us that radio stations still matter and they're out there in the community with free stuff!

A couple quick things:

The New Life Project Stockton CD release event is this Friday, April 8. Tickets are $10 which includes a copy of the CD.

Stockton City Councilmembers are hosting budget town hall meetings. This week, Dale Fritchen on Monday, April 4 and Paul Canepa on Thursday, April 7. The other councilmembers will be holding there meetings later in the month, be sure to check the schedule.

Until next time, make it great Stockton!

- Matt & Rod