communicator - december 2013
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What a wonderful time a year, as the
temperature cools, much needed rain descends upon us, and we welcome
the holiday season. During this time many turn their attention of a time to
celebrate family, embrace togetherness, and count there many
blessings in their lives. As we embrace the season many of us will brave local
stores shopping for holiday gifts. What a great environment our local
boutiques and eateries provide for shoppers. Can anyone ask for a safer and a more friendly community to
shop in?
As we are all out in the hustle and
bustle here are some helpful tips that everyone can use during the holidays
or any time of year to assist in keeping you, you’re family, and your property
safe.
While out shopping:
•Contact the police department if you observe or suspect anything that is
suspicious. (Ripon Police Department non-emergency telephone number is
599-2102).
•Shop during daylight hours whenever
possible. If you must shop at night, go
with a friend or family member.
•Dress casually and comfortably.
•Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
•Even though you are rushed and
thinking about a thousand things, stay
alert to your surroundings.
•Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime
targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation
terminals, bus stops, on buses and
other rapid transit.
•Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
•Keep cash in your front pocket.
•Pay for purchases with a check or
credit card when possible.
•Notify the credit card issuer
immediately if your credit card is lost,
stolen or misused.
•Keep a record of all of your credit
The past few days have been most
interesting watching congressional
testimony on the health care law
implementation. Beginning in 2014,
nearly everyone in America must
either be covered by health insurance
or pay a tax penalty. To facilitate this
program, either your state or the
federal government must provide a
“Marketplace” (also known as the
health insurance exchange) that
enables you to compare and buy
health policies from any of several
different companies.
You can also use the program to find
out if you qualify for a tax credit to
help pay for the insurance or if you
qualify for Medicaid assistance. The
promise is that you may someday
reach the Marketplace through a
website, through the mail, or by
telephone.
The plans in the Marketplace are
offered by private insurance
companies. All must provide a set of
core benefits, and none may reject you
because of an existing illness or other
medical condition.
If you already have a health care
policy, you needn’t do anything at all.
You may someday use the
Marketplace to seek out and purchase
cheaper and/or better coverage if
available, unless you’re age 65 or
older. In the latter case, you’ll
generally be covered by Medicare and
will not be subject to the new law.
If you don’t have health insurance, you
can buy a policy directly from a
provider, or you can use the
Marketplace to find the coverage that
suits you best. The cost will depend
on the desired benefits, your income,
and the size of your family.
Marketplace information about prices
and benefits will be provided so that
you will be able to compare policies
before you enroll.
To access the program, compare
options, and/or sign up, visit the
federal website at
www.healthcare.gov. (If your state is
running its own program, you’ll be
directed to the appropriate website.)
You can also call 1-800-318-2596 for
options, instructions, and answers to
questions.
Contributed by Vermeulen & Company
The Communicator D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3
I N T E R E S T E D
I N G O I N G
P A P E R L E S S ?
The monthly
Communicator is
now available
online and via
email! If you are
interested in
receiving the
Communicator via
email instead of a
snail mail, hard
copy, let us know!
The Chamber is
happy to send you
a digital version of
the Communicator
on a monthly basis.
Director’s Corner: Shopping Safe During the Holidays
What You Need to Know About the New Health Care Law
M E R R Y
C H R I S T M A S
D E C . 2 5
card numbers in a safe place at home.
•Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear
visibility and freedom of motion to
avoid mishaps.
•Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year,
"con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of
taking your money or belongings.
•Do not leave packages or valuables on
the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the
trunk or put it out of sight.
• Teach your child to go to a store
clerk and ask for help in case your child
is separated from you.
•If you must use an ATM, choose one that is located inside a police station,
mall, or well-lighted location. Withdraw
only the amount of cash you need.
• Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is
standing near you.
•Do not throw your ATM receipt away
at the ATM location
I hope these tips accentuate your
holiday shopping season and help you
enjoy a very Merry Christmas!
Written by Chief Ed Ormonde
P A G E 2
American Legion Crab Feed Sat., January 11, 2014
6 p.m. Drinks
7 p.m. Dinner
Ripon Community
Center
$45 per person
The area’s longest-
running and best-of-the-
best crab feed is
presented again this year
by none other than
Ripon’s American Legion
Post 190! The Crab Feed
will be held on Saturday,
January 11, 2014 - a great
way to begin your new year!
There will be no host
cocktails from 6:00 p.m. -
7:00 p.m. followed by dinner
at 7:00 p.m. featuring all-you-
can-eat crab, green salad,
baked potato, fresh & fancy
French bread, dessert, wine,
& coffee. Raffle and spirited
dancing to take place after
dinner (to work off all of
that crab you overindulged
in!). The event will be held at
the Ripon Community
Center. Tickets are $45 per
person and must be
purchased in advance - no
tickets at the door. Must be
21& over to attend. Tickets
are available from Darryl
Bartels, State Farm Insurance
(201 S. Stockton Ave., 599-
2174). For more info, please
contact Ken Lawson (599-
4714).
Now Available: Pick-Up & Delivery Pet Grooming Debbie’s Pet
Grooming is now
offering pet pick-up and
delivery services in
Ripon! For just a mere
$10 charge, Debbie’s
will pick up your cute
doggy pal in need of a
good bath and groom
and drop your pet back
off - all clean and spiffy!
Service is currently only
available on Wednesdays
and Thursdays. Small and
medium dogs only please.
For more information, call
Debbie’s Pet Grooming at
599.5572 or stop in at their
Main Street location and
chat about options in
person - 433 W. Main
Street.
T H E C O M M U N I C A T O R
P A G E 3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3
The holiday season presents many
opportunities to help the less
fortunate among us who also call
Ripon home. Through the
generosity of the community, we
can ensure these citizens receive
the dignity and support they need
to also have a beautiful holiday
season. Please keep reading for two
amazing opportunities to help those
in need.
Ripon FFA Giving Tree
Ripon FFA presents Christmas Giving
Tree. To participate, select a tag
from one the Giving Trees. Purchase
a gift (not to exceed $35) for the tag
you choose. Tape the tag from the
tree onto the new, unwrapped gift. If
gifting clothes, gift receipts are
mandatory. Next, drop off new,
tagged, unwrapped gifts to the drop-
off locations. Gift drop-off will start
December 2 and end on December
17. Be sure and “like” Ripon FFA on
Facebook. Thank you for your
generosity during this holiday
season!
offering their time, friendship, and
assistance with light chores or
errands. Training for this volunteer
position consists of instruction and
shared discussions with our
experienced Hospice of San Joaquin
staff and outside speakers on the
following topics and more:
♥ Hospice History & Philosophy
♥ Spiritual Care & Support
♥ Communication & Listening Skills
♥ Cultural Diversity
♥ Concepts of Death & Dying
♥ Needs of the Dying
♥ Hospice Family
♥ Grief & Loss
♥ Care & Comfort Measures
♥ Role of the Volunteer
Volunteers Needed in
Manteca, Ripon & Lathrop
Areas. Also looking for
help in the following areas:
pet therapy, music therapy,
hair dressers, garden &
house maintenance.
Experience the rewards and
satisfaction of making a difference in
the lives of others! Caring men and
women are needed to provide
support and companionship 2-4
hours per week to our hospice
patients & their families and
patients in our Transitions
Program. Volunteers provide
compassionate care and comfort by
Volunteers Needed: Hospice San Joaquin Or provide behind the scenes
support by volunteering in our
administrative office helping with
mailings, clerical, data input & other
administrative tasks.
For information, please call 209-
957-3888.
Hospice of San Joaquin 3888 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95204
www.hospicesj.org
Opportunities for Charity in the Ripon Community Giving Tree Locations:
Save Mart
Schemper’s ACE Hardware
Tractor Supply Co.
Ripon High Main Office
Gift Drop-off Locations:
Ripon Chamber of Commerce
Ripon FD Main Office
Ripon High Main Office
Ripon Rotary Coat Drive
Warming Our Community, One
Coat at a Time! During the month of
November, the Ripon Rotary would
like to ask for your support in their
annual coat drive. Help keep
everyone warm this winter by
dropping off your lightly used coats
to the bucket located in front of the
Ripon Chamber and elsewhere
throughout town. Questions?
Contact Chad DeGraff at 595.1811.
Thank you in advance for your
commitment to keeping those in
need warm.
Barnwood Restaurant: Now Offering Breakfast mention Bloody Marys and
Mimosas! Plus, all the usual
breakfast suspects everyone loves!
Be sure and try out Barnwood’s
new breakfast!
Barnwood Restaurant will serve
breakfast Monday through
Saturday from 6:30 a.m. – 10:30
a.m. starting Monday, December
2! Specials will include Build your
Own Omelette, Barnwood Waffle
-Wich, Grilled Breakfast Burrito,
and Ken’s Carne Guisada – not to
P A G E 4
Please note: there
is no December
Morning Coffee or
December Evening
Mixer.
Grief Support Workshop Beginning Soon Calvary Reformed Church is
offering a 13-week, biblically
-based grief support group to
begin Wednesday,
December 4, 2013, from
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. It is
for people grieving the death
of someone close. It is a place
where you can be around
people who understand how
you feel and the pain of your
loss. At Grief Share you will
learn valuable information that
will help you through this
difficult time in your life. To
register, contact Carol, Parish
Nurse, at 599-4294 or
Transportation is available.
Take advantage of this
opportunity to turn your
mourning into joy.
December Events Calendar & Housekeeping they are not receiving our
emails. If you are not getting
our emails, please check your
junk folder or add
your list of approved email
addresses to make sure you
stay up to date on all the
Chamber happenings and
community-wide events.
• Did you know? On the
fourth Tuesday of every month
from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the
Ripon Chamber of Commerce
Congressman Denham holds
District Office Hours? His
aides are eager to answer and
address any of your inquiries.
Hours resume in January.
• Ripon’s mascot needs a
name! People of all ages who
live in Ripon are invited to
submit names for the mascot
in the Ripon Chamber of
Commerce’s “Name Ripon’s
Mascot!” contest. Submit
responses at http://tinyurl.com/
riponmascot. Winner will be
announced at the Almond
Blossom Festival, February 21-
23. Winner also receives a gift
certificate to Barnwood
Restaurant! Submissions
accepted until February 1,
2014. Good luck!
• The Ripon Chamber is in the
process of creating a Ripon
Community Calendar - a
resource for Ripon residents
that will list events happening
throughout the community.
Send us your events and we
would be happy to get them
on our calendar!
Monday, December 2
Ripon Christmas Tree
Lighting
Veteran’s Memorial
7:00 p.m.
Corner of Locust & First St.
Almond Blossom Queen/
Miss Ripon Application Due
Ripon Chamber
Due no later than 4 p.m.
Thursday, December 5
Taste of Ripon
$25.
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Housekeeping
• Are you getting our emails?
Some of our members have
mentioned that sometimes
T H E C O M M U N I C A T O R
I need a
name!
Contributed by San Joaquin County Enterprise Zone
Are You Taking Full Advantage of our Enterprise Zone?
P A G E 5 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3
The San Joaquin County
Enterprise Zone, established in
Ripon in July 2011 after a
competitive selection process, is
one of only 42 enterprise zones
designated throughout California.
The San Joaquin County
Enterprise Zone offers businesses
that locate or expand within the
zone substantial reductions in
operating costs by accessing a
variety of State tax incentives and
local benefits.
The San Joaquin County
Enterprise Zone covers more
than 656 square miles including
portions of Lathrop, Lodi, Ripon,
Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, and
the County. In Ripon, the benefits
of the San Joaquin County
Enterprise Zone will be available
to all businesses until December
31, 2013. However, businesses
will still be able submit vouchers
through 2014.
Enterprise zones are the only
areas within the State able to
offer actual State income tax
advantages to businesses located
within the zones. Reduced
income taxes translate into lower
operational costs and increased
profits!
In addition to the tax incentives
for business, the San Joaquin
County Enterprise Zone offers
favorably priced improved and
unimproved properties, a semi-
skilled and skilled workforce, and
a network of public and private
agencies and organizations
committed to providing
companies with a pro-business
environment.
All in all, the benefits and
incentives of the San Joaquin
County Enterprise Zone can help
your business grow and prosper!
Enterprise zones have been
established in California to
stimulate development in
selected economically distressed
areas.
The Enterprise Zone Act
provides five business related tax
incentives which are fully
explained in the Franchise Tax
Board (FTB) Pub. 3805Z
Enterprise Zone Business
Booklet. These incentives are:
• Credit for hiring qualified
employees;
• Credit for sales and use tax paid
on certain machinery;
• Business expense deduction for
the cost of certain property;
• Net operating cost carryover;
and
• Net interest deduction for
lenders.
A sixth incentive is available only
to employees who work in a
designated enterprise zone.
Employees may claim a tax credit
to reduce the amount of their
income tax on wages earned in
an enterprise zone. See form FTB
3553, Enterprise Zone Employee
Credit.
Enterprise zone tax incentives
apply only to investments and
business activities that are
undertaken after an enterprise
zone has received final
designation. This requirement
also applies to any expansion of
existing enterprise zone
boundaries.
For more specific information on
any of the state tax credits,
contact your tax accountant, the
Franchise Tax Board Hotline at
916.845.3464, or the San Joaquin
County Enterprise Zone at
209.468.3615. Or, go online to
www.sjcex.org.
Jake’s Coffee, Tea, and
Sandwiches, one of Ripon’s local
gourmet coffee shops, is now
officially under new ownership. Lori Knight, Jake’s new
proprietor, is excited about this
opportunity. In the next few
months, Lori will be holding a naming contest for Jake’s. Lori is
passionate about community
building and wants the name of
Jake’s: Under New Ownership
“Reduced
income taxes
translate into
lower
operational
costs and
increased
profits!”
her new coffee shop to be
generated by the very
community it represents and
serves. The winner will receive daily coffee for six months.
What an amazing prize!
Welcome, Lori, to the Ripon
business community. Jake, you will be missed and we wish you
the best in your future
endeavors!
P A G E 6
Plan on visiting the
Tree lighting
ceremony
scheduled for
Friday, December 6
at 6:00 pm at
Mistlin Fountain
Park located at the
corner of E. Main
Street and Oak
Avenue.
Contributed by Hospice of San Joaquin
Tree of Lights Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
A year ago, the City
of Ripon’s
community gathered
at Mistlin Fountain
Park to witness
history — the first
lighting ceremony of
Hospice of San
Joaquin’s Tree of
Lights in the
City. While Tree
of Lights is young
locally, it has been
25 years since
Hospice of San
Joaquin lit the first
Tree at San Joaquin
Delta College.
During the 2013 Holiday
season, Hospice of San Joaquin,
the Ripon Chamber of
Commerce and friends invite
you to celebrate the 25th
Lighting Ceremony of Tree of
Lights. “We are pleased to
announce one of the most
commemorative Tree of Lights
Lighting Ceremonies in the
history Hospice of San
Joaquin,” noted Sandy
Stoddard, Director of Fund
Development at Hospice of San
Joaquin.
“For many families, the tree
lighting ceremonies mark the
beginning of the holiday
season,” explained Carolyn
Gomes, Event Coordinator at
the agency. And for others
Tree of Lights has a deeper
meaning. “I have donated to
Tree of Lights for more than
10-years in honor of my first
wife Loretta Abel,” noted
Richard Abel, Retired High
School Principal at Lodi Unified
School District, “Tree of Lights
keeps her memory alive every
year.” Abel explained that
Hospice of San Joaquin cared
for her following a brain tumor.
There are six other Trees
joining our Ripon Tree
throughout the county. Other
sister cities include Rio Vista,
Lodi, Lockeford, Stockton,
Manteca, and Tracy. Tree of
Lights is a community event,
promoting hospice awareness
and inclusion for individuals
who have lost a loved one by
honoring their memory during
the holiday season. “This event
serves as a bereavement
service which allows
participants to remember their
loved ones,” Carrie Lane,
Bereavement Manager stated
adding that “the holidays
without a special loved one are
difficult; however, the shining
light brings joy to many hearts.”
The trees are decorated for
the community, thanks to the
partnership of local
organizations, businesses,
community groups and
individual contributors. The
25th Anniversary of Tree of
Lights is an event not to be
missed.
“We encourage everyone to
Light Up a Light – Light Up a Life
by dedicating a light on the tree
of your choice this year,”
highlighted Sandy Stoddard,
Director of Fund Development
at Hospice of San Joaquin.
Plan on visiting the Tree
lighting ceremony scheduled
for Friday, December 6 at 6:00
pm at Mistlin Fountain Park
located at the corner of E. Main
Street and Oak Avenue. The
Ripon Tree of Lights is hosted
by the City of Ripon along with
Community and Youth Services
Commission.
To “Light-Up a Light… Light-
Up a Life” you may find the
forms at www.hospicesj.org.
You may purchase a light up to
December 31st. Boards are
updated throughout December.
T H E C O M M U N I C A T O R
P A G E 7 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3
A warm welcome to our new
members:
Ballatore Ranch
Kamps Propane
Elite Health Club (formerly
Ripon Athletic Club)
And a big thank you for our
members that renewed last
month:
Windmill Septic
PG&E
Grace Hogan
Fractal Dreams
Weaver Insurance Agency
Supervisor Ken Vogel
Doctors Hospital
ARCO AM/PM
Allen D. Hoek, O.D.
Scentsy Wickless
Candles/Melissa
Groom
Bank of the West
Be sure and welcome
new members to our
Ripon community and
to patronize fellow
Chamber businesses!
and enjoy the season, it will be
a way for the families we have
served in the past and present to
experience Deegan’s in a different
way and a way for all families who
have suffered a loss to memorialize
their loved ones. Deegan’s is
debuting their First
Annual Community Memorial
Tree. The community is invited to personalize and decorate a dove
ornament in remembrance of their
lost loved ones and place it on the
Memorial Tree where it will remain
Deegan Funeral Chapels
Holiday Open House in
Escalon
Friday, December 6, 2013
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
1441 San Joaquin Street
Escalon, CA
Deegan Funeral Chapels is hosting
a Holiday Open House at their
Escalon location. Not only will it be
a fun social event to come mingle
throughout the holiday
season. Children will
have a visit from
Santa Claus from 6-7
p.m., hear a story,
and make an
ornament to take
home while the
adults enjoy music
and refreshments. All are welcome! For
more information,
please call (209) 838-
7321.
Taste of Ripon - Tickets are Flying! Need Childcare? to the rescue! Pretty in Pink will be
hosting a Rockstar Pajama Party for
children the night of Taste of Ripon
(Dec. 5) from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. They
will be offering rockstar makeovers
for boys and girls, pizza, drinks, Just
Dance, karaoke, and the Wii U!
Everything to make sure your child
has as much fun that night as you
do! This will be a drop-off event.
Contact Pretty in Pink at 607.3384,
at [email protected], or
drop in to register your child(ren)
and for more info! Only $25 per
guest!
You are cordially invited to the 18th
annual Taste of Ripon on Thursday,
December 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price is $25 per person and tickets
can be purchased at the Chamber
office or on the Chamber website.
Ticket sales are going strong so it
should be a fun night for all! As of
this writing, 29 Ripon businesses
are participating! What a
tremendous response from our
lovely community!
Are you having trouble finding
childcare for the evening of Taste of
Ripon? Never fear - Pretty in Pink
New Members and Member Renewals
Deegan Funeral Chapels Holiday Open House
Childcare by
Pretty in Pink
will be
available the
night of Taste
of Ripon!
Only $25 per
guest. Hours
are 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. or
until 9 p.m.
for Taste of
Ripon
participants!
Monday, December 2
7 p.m.
Veteran’s Memorial
(Corner of Locust & First)
Complementary Hot
Cocoa and Cookies
On Monday, December 2,
Ripon’s Christmas Tree Lighting
festivities will be held at the
Veteran’s Memorial beginning at
7 p.m. Evening will feature voices
from the Ripon Christian choir, a
season’s blessing from Pastor
Glen Shirk of Ripon Grace
Brethren Church, and of course,
hot cocoa and yummy cookies!
All are welcome so bring your
family and Christmas spirit!
929 West Main Street
Ripon, CA 95366
Phone: 209.599.7519
Fax: 888.556.4944
Website: riponchamber.org
Ripon Chamber of Commerce
Ripon Christmas Tree Lighting
Keeping Ripon’s Business
Community Vibrant
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RIPON, CA