77. Wes Rhea, Visit Stockton - December 30, 2013

Visit Stockton!

Wes Rhea

In this episode Matt and Susan catch up with Wes Rhea, CEO of Visit Stockton.  Wes is a tireless promoter of Stockton and we are thrilled to share his story with you.  

Wes and the team at Visit Stockton spent their time promoting our city, encouraging out-of-towners to come to Stockton (and stay in our hotels) and educating local residents about all of the great things about our city. Wes gives an overview of the Stockton Certified Tourism Ambassador Program, the goal of which is to improve visitation by inspiring anyone who interacts with customers to work together to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. 

Wes, Susan, and Matt also talk about Stockton restaurants, local sporting events and venues, and the variety of activities and programs going on throughout the area. 

If you have ever found yourself wondering, "What is there to do in Stockton?"  No worries, Visit Stockton has plenty of suggestions. They have the area's largest events calendar covering Stockton and surrounding cities. 

Stockton souvenirs and Stockton related gifts can be found at stocktonsouvenirs.com or purchased at their offices located at 125 Bridge Place, Stockton, CA 95202. They can be reached at 209-938-1555.

Also, be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Podcast Stockton would like to wish you a safe and Happy New Year!!! Susan, Matt, and Greg talk about what they hope to see in Stockton in 2014.

76. Caleb Lamb and Brandon Kisker, Stockton Thunder - December 9, 2013

Let's Play Hockey!

In this week's episode, the Podcast Stockton Crew have an action-packed interview with the Stockton Thunder broadcasters, Caleb Lamb and Brandon Kisker. 

Caleb Lamb and Brandon Kisker

Stockton Thunder Broadcasters, Caleb Lamb and Brandon Kisker come on the show to talk about their careers in sports broadcasting and their journeys to Stockton. 

Coming off their best finish last year, when the Thunder won the ECHL Western Conference Championships, the off-season changes have been well publicized. After falling to the Reading Royals in the Kelly Cup Finals, the Stockton Thunder said goodbye to the head coach Matt Thomas and team President Dan Chapman, as well as their play-by-play announcer. 

This year, the team went with two very talented broadcasters. Caleb provides the play-by-play and Brandon takes care of the color commentary. 

If you have never heard a play called in hockey, you are in for a real treat. If you are a Thunder fan, Caleb and Brandon give us a quick peek behind the scenes of what it's like to handle the broadcasting, media relations and social media for an ECHL team. 

Since Caleb and Brandon are both new to Stockton, Susan and Matt asked them about their experiences here so far. 

Caleb and Brandon are happy to be in Stockton, and invite everyone to connect with them on Twitter. And don't forget to tell them about your favorite hangout spot or restaurant. Find them at @CalebLambTweet and @kiskerbc.

Visit stocktonthunder.com for ticket and game info, and follow them on Facebook.com/StocktonThunder and Twitter @StocktonThunder.

Go Thunder!

Merry Christmas from Podcast Stockton

Susan, Matt, and Greg chat about their favorite holiday memories in Stockton.

75. Paul and Cindi Marsh, Mile Wine Company - November 25, 2013

This week, we had the pleasure of talking with Paul and Cindi Marsh, proprietors of the Mile Wine Company. 

Mile Wine Company

Mile Wine Company is unlike any other place in Stockton.  A quintessential wine bar and restaurant that also serves great beers, cheeses, and gourmet seasonally prepared food.

Mile Wine Company offers an exceptional selection of distinctive and eclectic fine wines from around the world, artisan cheese, charcuterie, monthly winemaker dinners, a wine club, and weekly wine classes hosted by Paul Marsh, who is a certified sommelier.

The Brubeck room inside Mile Wine Company is an intimate, private room for business lunches, formal dinners, or private celebrations. It's a perfect room for smaller groups.

In addition to fine wines and great food the Mile Wine Company offers a relaxing atmosphere, outdoor seating and live music by local musicians.

Mile Wine Company is located on the Miracle Mile at 2113 Pacific Avenue, in Stockton.

View their menu or plan your next small event at milewinecompany.com. You can also connect with Mile Wine Company at facebook.com/milewinecompany and @MileWineCompany.

74. Erin Odessa - November 11, 2013

The Music Edition

In this episode, Matt and Susan talk about music. From the genres of music they grew up listening to, to their first live concert.  Music has definitely been a huge part of all our lives.

Erin Odessa, hosting Open Mic at Whirlow's on October 30, 2013

Erin Odessa

We are joined in the Outback Studios by local musician, music teacher, and ukulele advocate Erin Odessa. 

Erin talks with Matt and Susan about her early start with music, and about her passion for creating music. Erin, an accomplished song writer and performer is also known to scores of children and families in Stockton for The Afternaps, a childrens music program that has been performing for several years. The Afternaps perform every Tuesday at 5 PM inside Yogurt My Way on the Miracle Mile.

Erin is available for ukulele, guitar, vocal, and group percussion lessons. She can be reached by e-mail at afternapsmusic@yahoo.com.

Erin is also the hostess of Open Mic at Whirlow's on the Miracle Mile, every Wednesday night. At a recent Open Mic night, Matt spoke with two performers.

Erin and Daniel Page perform two new original songs, "Won't Be Soon", and "Life Goes On".

Listen to more music by Erin Odessa at soundcloud.com/erinodessa. She can also be found at facebook.com/erin.odessa.

72. Miranda Winters, Stockton is Magnificent! - October 4, 2013

Today we talk with Miranda Winters of the Stockton is Magnificent committee. 

Join thousands of proud Stockton residents in celebrating the talent, history and culture of our great city on Saturday, October 5, 2013, from Noon to 3 PM on Pacific Avenue between Alder and Castle streets. This event is FREE to the public.

The event will kick-off at 12:00pm with the Children’s Parade, featuring the Celebrate Stockton Fun Time Band (Jazz Band) and Delta Fusion.

This year’s Big Picture – a photo taken of the whole festival crowd – will take place at 1:00pm at Tuxedo Circle with photographer Steve Pereira.

The Stockton is Magnificent mission is to encourage civic pride, to inspire and educate Stockton residents of the rich and diverse past, present and future of our community.

Visit stocktonmagnificent.com for all the details. You can also learn more about this event at facebook.com/stocktonmagnificent.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Pacific Avenue, (Miracle Mile) between Alder and Castle streets

12 PM to 3 PM

Admission is FREE to the public

We hope to see you there!

Listen below or click here to save or play the audio.

73. Boggs Tract Community Farm - September 30, 2013

First Jobs. Do you remember your first job? Matt and Susan remember theirs.

Matt got his start at Shakey's Pizza, working in the scullery and Susan started her professional life scooping ice cream at Swensen's Ice Cream. Journey back in time and share their first job experiences.  

Boggs Tract Community Farm

Puentes Americas is developing an urban farm and garden in the Boggs Tract area of Stockton. This area is known as a food desert, where residents have no grocery store or fresh food close by. The Boggs Tract Community Farm aims to support local residents with setting up a farmers’ market to generate revenue that will ultimately go towards creating urban farms throughout San Joaquin County. 

Recently, Matt spent some time at the Boggs Tract Community Farm and spoke with Harriet, Marty Segal, Shanna Eller, Eric Firpo, Shayne Zurilgen, and Susan Mora-Loyko.

Stockton Harvest

Join the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for $15 per week ($60 per month) to receive a box of fresh, locally grown produce delivered to your doorstep each week. Becoming a member of the CSA will not only support the farm’s daily operation but provide you with healthy, seasonal foods.

For more information on how you can volunteer, donate or become a member of the CSA program, visit their website at puentes-americas.org

The PUENTES Seeds & Spirits Annual Brunch is Sunday, November 3 from 11 AM to 1 PM. For more information and tickets, please visit eventbrite.com/event/6023659929/ .

French 25

Recently opened in 2013, French 25′s cuisine is inspired by the famed French Quarter neighborhood in New Orleans. 

With Po'Boys, Jambalaya, and Alligator Bites, will Matt and Susan go back? Ouais. (that's a yes!)

Visit them at french-25.com  and at facebook.com/frenchtwentyfive

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Music for today's show was "Halfway Gone" by Michael Seymour. Thanks to him for allowing us to use his song. Find him at reverbnation.com/MICHAELSEYMOUR

71. Johnny Milford - September 9, 2013

Listener Feedback

Gabriel wrote to us in response to our previous discussion about what we were reading. It's good to know that the Nook offers support for sharing ebooks. Thanks for sharing your feedback!

Back to School

It's that time of year again, all of our local school districts are back in session. Matt and Susan discuss back-to-school as each of them have a high school freshman daughter (which should be easy by now since each of them already had a daughter graduate high school). 

Johnny Milford

Johnny Milford

If you have spent any time listening to radio or watching television in Stockton, you have probably heard who we consider one of the greatest broadcast and advertisement voices ever! 

Johnny Milford is a voice actor, copy writer, studio engineer & producer, and local radio legend. We were honored to spend some time getting to know the former KJOY and KWIN disc jockey and radio personality. 

Yes, he is the same voice as the one in the Big Valley Ford, Food4Less, Rock Bottom World of Furniture commercials.

Johnny talks about his early days of radio as well as some of his thoughts on the current state of the business. He shows off some of his many amazing voices and impersonations. As a life-long Stockton resident, he also tells the story about how he joined the Stockton Ports as an announcer and shares what he enjoys about our city.

Visit his website, prodgod.com , to hear more samples.

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Music for today's show was "The Lawn" by Filbert. Thanks to them for allowing us to use their song. Find them on Facebook at facebook.com/filbertmusic. You can also hear their music on GoLocal Radio. 

70. Derron Lee - August 26, 2013

What are you reading?

Susan and Matt discuss what they've been reading. Since the two co-hosts originally met at a literacy fundraiser, the subject of what each is reading tends to come up a lot. Susan is currently reading Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald and Matt is enjoying on Sugar, Fat, Salt as well as the Peter Criss autobiography.

Both are big fans of our wonderful Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library. Did you know you can search the library catalog online and even reserve a book and have it pulled and ready for you at your local branch? Also, did you know that you can check-out e-books and audio books from the library, too. Go to ssjcpl.org for all the information.

What are you reading?

Derron Lee

Derron Lee

We interviewed local optometrist and entrepeneur, Dr. Derron Lee. Derron and his wife, Dr. Leanne Lee, were high-school sweethearts long before they went to college and became optometrists. Their practices, Midtown Optometry in Stockton and Manteca Optometry in Manteca, strive to bring the best in eye-care and customer service to their patients. 

As a Stockton native, Derron strives to be "loyal to the soil" as can be seen in his charity work. Derron started a "White Goldrush" campaign to collect donations of new socks and undergarments for St. Mary's Dining Hall. He also  started the Comeback Scholarship program to offer scholarships to local area high school students that pledge to return to the area once they've finished college. 

To help fund his charitible ventures, Derron has joined Ambit Energy, a retail electricity and natural gas provider. For more information on this venture, visit energysource.biz.

For more information on Dr. Lee's optometry practice, visit midtownoptometry.com and mantecaoptometry.com and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/midtownoptometry and facebook.com/mantecaoptometry. You can also reach Derron on his personal phone, 209-986-1880.

"Inside Man: Bankruptcy" Profiles Stockton 

Matt and Susan talk about Morgan Spurlock's "Inside Man" episode about the City of Stockton bankruptcy. 

Here are a couple of clips: inside-man-bankruptcy &  morgan-spurlock-stockton-guardian-angel

Did you watch it? Share your thoughts in the comments below, call or text us at 209-565-3229, or send an e-mail to podcaststockton@gmail.com.

Music for today's show was 209 Party by The Mundaze. Thanks to them for allowing us to use their song. Find them on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMundaze . 

69. Ask Stockton, Let Your Voice Be Heard - August 22, 2013

Today we talk with Matt Miller from Ask Stockton, a question campaign to reinvent Stockton.

From August 1 through 25, Stocktonian's are being asked to donate a question on how we as a community can reinvent Stockton.

Volunteers have been hard at work collecting donated questions from all over the city.  

With only a few days remaining you still have a chance to donate your questions for consideration. You can call or text 209-275-1190 or donate your questions via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email your questions to questions@askstockton.net. You can also visit AskStockton.net and fill out the "Ask Stockton Question Donation Form."

So, what's YOUR question on how to reinvent Stockton?

Listen below to learn more about the Ask Stockton Question Campaign.

Stockton Pride 2013

This Saturday is Stockton Pride 2013. Once again, It will be held at Oak Grove Regional Park from 11 AM to 7 PM. 

The Stockton Pride Festival is the only event of it's kind here in Stockton. Last year, the turnout was greater than expected and event organizers are planning for more for this year's event. 

Nicholas Hatten, Executive Director of San Joaquin Pride Center described this year's event as "The year of more.  More entertainment, more activities, more food, more vendors and booths."

When asked about the importance of having an event like Stockton Pride in our community, Hatten said, there is "still a fear of the unknown" as it relates to the LGBT community and that events such as this give everyone a chance to see their culture and see them as individuals as well as members of the community.  

"In Stockton, we have a long way to go for equality. We're not San Francisco, we're not Sacramento", said Hatten. Not getting as much support as larger cities is one reason that this event is important. Hatten continues, "Our kids are most at risk". Stockton Pride creates an environment of tolerance and understanding that can lead to meaningful conversations about diversity and help educate the public about the importance of respect, tolerance and equality.

Stockton Pride is a family event and will feature a teen area and children's zone ran by the San Joaquin Pride Center youth group.

Join in the food, fun, entertainment. You can also help support the Stockton Pride Festival and have a chance to win some fabulous prizes by purchasing a raffle ticket for $5 .

Admission is free, and entrance to the park is only $6 per car.  

For more information on the San Joaquin Pride Center and tomorrow's Stockton Pride 2013, visit  sjpridecenter.org and stocktonpride.weebly.com. Also, be sure to Like Stockton Pride on Facebook at facebook.com/StocktonPride.

We hope to see you Saturday at Oak Grove Regional Park!