89. Miguel Guillen - @stocktonca on Instagram - April 21, 2014

In this week's episode Matt and Rod talk with Miguel Guillen, the creator of the @stocktonca Instagram account. 

They also talk about this weekend's Asparagus Festival and the return of Johnny Milford to the airwaves!

Miguel Guillen

In 2012, Miguel started an Instagram account as @stocktonca. He posted one picture and then ignored it for a while. What he didn't realize then was that he was starting to build a community on Instagram, the social media app and website where users share photos and short videos.

The @stocktonca account on Instagram has over 12,000 followers and features photos with the hashtags #stocktonca and #IGersStockton.

Miguel recently helped organize Stockton's second Instameet, where Instagram users got together at the Stockton Arena. 

Join the community at instagram.com/stocktonca. 

Asparagus Festival 2014

This weekend marks the return of the Asparagus Festival. Matt and Rod talk about the upcoming Asparagus Festival. For more information about the Asparagus Festival, visit asparagusfest.com.

Johnny Milford is Back!!!

Last September, Matt and Susan sat down with local radio and voice over legend, Johnny Milford for episode 71. 

Well, we are so excited because last week Johnny returned to the airwaves as Johnny Stockton on Stockton's new country radio station 105.9 The Bull. Listen to him weekday afternoons 2 PM - 7 PM on 105.9 FM.  Visit 1059thebull.com and find them on Facebook.com/stocktoncountry and Twitter @stocktoncountry.

88. Amanda King and Lucas, April 14, 2014

This week Rod catches up with Amanda King and Lucas,  the talented on-air personalities of The Morning Block Party on KWIN 97.7 and 98.3 FM.

The Morning Block Party and so much more...

As advocates for local youth and sports, Amanda and Lucas are more than just the talented voices on the radio in the morning. They are both truly passionate about Stockton and their listeners and spend time giving back to the community in many ways. 

Find them on the radio, 97.7 and 98.3 FM, on the Morning Block Party, weekdays from 6 to 10 AM. Also, listen live online at KWIN.com and iHeartRADIO.

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#GSADO

There's less than one week left of the Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out. Once again, Visit Stockton has put together a growing list of participating restaurants for this great local event as the perfect lead up the Stockton Asparagus Festival. Matt and Susan talk about some of the great choices out there. The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out runs until April 20. Check out the participating restaurants at dineoutstockton.com.

87. Bill and Wendi Maxwell - part 2 - April 8, 2014

In today's episode, Matt and Susan continue their conversation with Bill and Wendi Maxwell. Don't forget to go back to yesterday's show and listen to part one of our conversation.

Wendi and Bill Maxwell

Bill tells the story of how he and Wendi met more than 35 years ago and how he got his start in the book business. Bill also worked in a mortuary before  eventually becoming the proprietor of The Bookmark and re-naming it Maxwell's Bookmark. Bill is still an active bookseller and continues his business online. Bill also talks about his current role as Archivist for the Bank of Stockton. 

Lastly, Bill and Wendi talk about their thoughts on a renaissance of sorts going on in Stockton today.

For more information on Maxwell's Bookmark, visit maxwellsbookmark.com.

The music on today's show was "Everything I've Got" by Wendi Maxwell and Tres Hot Jazz. For more information on Wendi Maxwell, visit her website wendimaxwell.com. Also, download the new CD from Wendi Maxwell and Tres Hot Jazz, Help a Good Girl Go Bad on CDBaby or iTunes. Don't miss seeing her and the band perform live in Stockton. Check out their schedule here. Visit newschoolaikido.com for more information on Wendi's local work in Aikido.

86. Bill and Wendi Maxwell - part 1 - April 7, 2014

In this episode, Matt and Susan are joined by Bill and Wendi Maxwell, a truly one-of-a-kind Stockton couple. 

Wendi & Bill Maxwell

Wendi and Bill Maxwell have each left their mark on Stockton in their own way, and are continuing to bring positivity to our city as active members of our community. 

In today's episode, we talk with Wendi about being a musician and her professional life before retiring several years ago. Wendi, who is a fourth degree black belt, was recently named manager of Aikido programs at New School Aikido. 

Don't worry, Bill will have plenty of time in tomorrow's episode. Come back then to listen to our next interview and the rest of the Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell story.

For more information on Wendi Maxwell, visit her website wendimaxwell.com. Also, download the new CD from Wendi Maxwell and Tres Hot Jazz, Help a Good Girl Go Bad on CDBaby or iTunes. Don't miss seeing her and the band perform live in Stockton. Check out their schedule here. Visit newschoolaikido.com for more information on Wendi's local work in Aikido.

For more information on Maxwell's Bookmark, visit maxwellsbookmark.com.

The music on today's show was "Better Than Anything" by Wendi Maxwell and Tres Hot Jazz.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to hear the second half of our interview with Bill and Wendi.

85. Stockton Earth Day Festival - March 31, 2014

In this week's episode, Susan and Rod talk with Matt about the 26th annual Stockton Earth Day Festival, which takes place on Sunday, April 6, at Victory Park.

History

Christie Kelley from the Peace & Justice Network of San Joaquin County talks about the early days of the Stockton Earth Day Festival and how it grew to what it is today, while keeping true to it's original goal of being an event focused on environmental education.

Art

Ryan Camero, a Delta College student, artist, community organizer, and Earth Day Festival volunteer committee member discusses some exciting new art activities for this year's festival. In addition to spearheading fun arts activities for kids and live art exhibits, Ryan helped bring an interactive art scroll, "It's the Same Thing" by New York based artist Rachel Schragis, to Stockton and will have demonstrations throughout the day. Ryan attended Gabfestry, a national art activists conference in Machias, Maine last year and participated in a similar activity with the scroll.

What To Expect This Year

Susan and Rod turn the tables on their podcast partner, Matt, and interview him about this year's Stockton Earth Day Festival. 

There will be lots of great information booths where kids can have fun while learning ways to protect the environment. 

Where's the beef? Just as it has been for the past 25 festivals, the Stockton Earth Day Festival is a no meat event. Food vendors will be serving vegetarian and other non-meat items as a way to encourage festival goers to eat lower on the food chain. 

JoDee Eatmon, a passionate local yoga instructor, is back this year to lead yoga at 10 a.m.

Registration for The Family Fun Bike Ride, sponsored by St. Joseph's Medical Center, starts at 10:30 a.m. Ride your bike to the festival and keep it checked in to the bike corral sponsored by the San Joaquin Bike Coalition. 

Live Entertainment

There will be lots of great live entertainment next Sunday on the Cal Water Main Stage.

11:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. Kin No Yama Waidaiko Taiko Drums

11:25 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. DeltaNights Blues Band

12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Stockton PowWow

12:40 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. The Mundaze

1:40 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Teacher Awards

2:00 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. One.Charter Ensemble

2:50 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. Miss Lizzie & Her Cadillac Kings

4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Drummm Circle

For more information about the Stockton Earth Day Festival, visit livegreensanjoaquin.org. Also find them on Facebook.com/stocktonearthday, Twitter @stocktongreen and Instagram @stocktonearthday. 

Thanks to three of this year's entertainers, Miss Lizzie and Her Cadillac Kings, Delta Nights Blues Band, and The Mundaze for letting us play some of their music on today's show. We hope you'll all come out and support them at the festival. The Mundaze are wrapping up work on their new album, Love This Life, which will feature the title track heard in today's episode.

Leave us a message, or text us, at 209-565-3229 or send your e-mail to PodcastStockton@gmail.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @podcaststockton and Instagram @podcaststockton.

Listen below or click here to download the audio. Or right click / control click to save the audio.

84. Thunder Man - Eric Kenny - March 24, 2014

In this week's episode, Matt talks with Super Fan, Eric Kenny aka "Thunder Man."  Susan and Matt also chat about Macaronage.

Thunder Man

Eric "Thunder Man" Kenny

Eric explains how he went from a new fan of ECHL hockey to "Thunder Man". He shares with us how with a little inspiration from other fans and the help of his wife, they came up with what would eventually become his signature look.

As a self-appointed hype man for the Stockton Thunder, Eric cheers and hypes the crowd to keep fans involved and in the game.  

Although he is not associated or employed by the Stockton Thunder organization, he is a true "Super Fan" and he enjoys being a part of the fun and action that goes on at the arena.

To learn more about Eric "Thunder Man" Kenny, visit him on at facebook.com/thunderman204.

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Macaronage

Susan talks about how she discovered Macarons and fell in love at first bite.  She and Matt talk about their experience when they visited the store and tried their tasty treats. Definitely a hidden gem of Stockton that is worth checking out. 

See what Macaronage is all about by visiting them at facebook.com/macaronagebygrace or yelp.com/biz/macaronage-macarons-stockton. And don't forget to stop by the store located in the Hammer Ranch Shopping Center at 7610 Pacific Avenue, Suite B6, Stockton, CA 95210. Call them at (209) 955-0857.

Instameet & Local Food Truck Frenzy

Saturday, March 29, from 5pm to 8pm, the Stockton Instameet community will have a meet-up behind the Stockton Arena (on Arena Rd). There will be more than 9 different food trucks, contests and live music. This is sure to be an awesome event!

Find out more at instagram.com/p/l3Kq2VNFIS/ and facebook.com/localfoodtruckfrenzy.

83. Matt Thomas & Mike Linker, Victory Grill - March 17, 2014

Susan interviews Matt Thomas and Mike Linker, the owners of Victory Grill.

Victory Grill

Matt Thomas and Mike Linker of The Victory Grill

Matt and Mike share with us, that with their years of experience in the restaurant business and a love for the community, they chose to open the Victory Grill in the Victory Park area.

Offering American comfort food such as juicy burgers, BBQ pulled pork, roast beef, deli and panini sandwiches served with fries. 

Also known for making the largest cheeseburger in 2013, the guys share with us what it takes to "GO BIG!" 

The Victory Grill is located at 1765 Monte Diablo Ave, Stockton, CA 95203. You can call them at 209-941-8841.

To learn more about what's going on at the Victory Grill and their community involvement, visit them online at thevictorygrill.com. Or, you can check them out at facebook.com/thevictorygrill.

82. Alan Sanchez - March 10, 2014

Susan and Matt are joined in the Outback Studios by television reporter, podcaster, sports commentator, and huge WWE fan, Alan Sanchez.

Alan Sanchez

Alan Sanchez

Alan shares his story about growing up in the central valley, in a family with very little money and material possessions. Early in his educational career he learned about the value of working harder than anyone else, a trait that carried him into his career in broadcasting, eventually to become the youngest TV reporter in the central valley. 

Alan spent time as a reporter for a Sacramento morning news program before joining the Stockton Thunder and then the University of the Pacific sports program.

Alan Sanchez is all over the world of social media, where his fans connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, his website, and his podcast, The Alan Sanchez Show. 

81. Adriana Brogger - March 3, 2014

In this episode, we welcome back a familiar voice, Rod Villagomez, who brings an interview with multimedia professional, San Joaquin Delta College instructor and literacy advocate, Adriana Brogger.

Adriana Brogger

Adriana Brogger

Adriana tells her story of how she came to the United States as a toddler with her mother, only able to speak Spanish. Having spent a lot of time in the library, Adriana loved to read and to learn and would spend hours in the library. Early in her career, she acted in commercials and eventually found herself working as an assignment editor, producer, writer, and reporter for KCRA where she helped tell many positive stories about Stockton.

Adriana currently writes for Her Life Magazine and is an adjunct instructor at San Joaquin Delta College where she also serves as the faculty advisor for Delta College News.

Adriana is also passionate about literacy and volunteers as an adult literacy tutor through the Stockton San Joaquin County Public Library.

To learn more about Adriana, visit her website at adrianabrogger.com.

You can also see what's going on at Delta College's Radio and Television Program by going to deltacollegertv.com or check them out on youtube at DCTV on Demand.

80. Michael Caponio, San Joaquin Bike Coalition - February 24, 2014

In today's episode, Matt talks with Michael Caponio, the chairman for the San Joaquin Bike Coalition.

San Joaquin Bike Coalition

Michael Caponio

Michael talks with us about the San Joaquin Bike Coalition and their goals of promoting bicycle safety and improving the means to use alternative transportation in San Joaquin County.

He explains how after his discovery of cycling and then eventually building his first bike from the frame up, he felt there was a need to improve the cycling culture here in Stockton.

The SJBC was formed about 3 years by a group of friends that came together and began organizing rides and have been advocating for cycling throughout the San Joaquin region.

 

Wednesday Night Ride

The Wednesday night ride is a free event and takes place every week on Wednesday evening from 7pm to 9pm. They meet behind the Empresso Coffeehouse. All riders that have basic bike-riding skills are welcome to join in.

Discover more about bicycling in the San Joaquin region and get more information on the SJBC's upcoming events by visiting facebook.com/SanJoaquinbike and their group page facebook.com/groups/sjbikecoalition or visit their website at sjbike.org

To learn more about the Tuolumne River Trust, visit their website at tuolumne.org.