Contents

Welcome 04

Chamber Board of Directors 06

Chairman’s Circle 06

Change and New Beginnings 08

Dixon Grocery Outlet 09

Millennium Child Development 10

First Northern Bank 12

Solano Baking Company 13

Dixon Ace Hardware 15

Farmers Insurance agent, Chrystal Rico 17

Veteran Riders Motorcycle Club 18

Membership Directories 19

220 N. Jefferson Street, Dixon, CA 95620

707-678-2650 | dixonchamber.org

facebook.com/thedixonchamberofcommerce

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Pre-Production Manager | Stefanie Nugara

Graphic Design | Mike Nickells

Editor | Bob Oswald

Sales Executive | Tyler Busby

This is a MetroMedia, A Town Square Publications Company, publication created and produced for the Dixon Chamber of Commerce

Copyright © 2022 MetroMedia, a company of Town Square Publications, LLC.
14300 Kenneth Rd., Ste. 210 Leawood, KS 66224
913-951-8413 | www.MetroMediaPublishers.com

On the Cover

Photo by Rich Hardy

Welcome!

Welcome to the Fall 2022 issue of the Dixon District Chamber of Commerce Connections magazine!

We have changed things up a little bit. With this issue, and all future issues, we will be publishing even more articles about our Chamber members. The businesses and organizations that belong to the Chamber are of vital importance to the economic well-being of Dixon. We want to recognize our members for the significant contributions they make in our community.

The Membership Directory will continue to list all members (as of August 15, 2022) and is an invaluable tool for the goods and services you might need.

For information about the Chamber of Commerce itself, you can visit our website – www.dixonchamber.org .

There you will find information as to what we are all about – our members! You can also find information on our history, our Directors, and Ambassadors, our committees and activities.

You can also explore the Member Benefits to find out how the Dixon Chamber can help your business or organization be more successful.

Included on our website is a Chamber Calendar, with all our committee meetings and our events, such as Mixers, Mingles, The Lunch Bunch and more. We like to have fun!

There is also a Community Calendar with events held by our business and organization members. All community events are open to the public and add to the quality of life in our community!

Plus, check our official Facebook page – facebook.com/thedixonchamberofcommerce. There you will find information on our members, our events, the feature articles from this and prior Connections magazines, and other posts of interest.

For more information about how membership in the Dixon Chamber of Commerce can benefit you, call 707-678-2650 or email info@dixonchamber.org.

Respectfully,

Shauna Manina

President/CEO

2022 Board of Directors

Robin Tully

Chair of the Board

Tully Consulting Group

Haley Andrew

1st Vice Chair

Dixon Wellness Collective

Ted Jorgensen

Treasurer

Dixon Tire Pros

Herb Cross

Immediate Past Chair

Independent Associate

Jill Orr

Director

Dawson’s Bar & Grill

Karstin Stranger

Director

Almond Tree Mortgage

Kathy Ernest

Director

Ramtown Karate

Julia Lopez

Director

Recology

Fernando Ontivers

Director

Johnson Group, Re /Max Gold

Rodolfo Pineda

Director

Universal Services

Dixon agencies provide homes for
those in need

At Community Action North Bay (CANB) DBA Change And New Beginnings (CANB) they understand the reason someone is homeless is as unique as a fingerprint.

Kari Rader, Executive Director of Change And New Beginnings, (CANB) recognizes this as her organization provides housing and services to the homeless of Solano County, Calif.

For the past 50 years, this agency has worked to end chronic homelessness as well as providing support for those with physical and mental disabilities and other debilitating issues.

It could be a person battling depression or another form of mental illness. Perhaps an individual experienced too much at the wrong time or not enough when the time should have been right.

Some get lost in a system that is confusing and frightening to them. And there are stories of drug abuse and domestic violence that are also reasons that people find their way on our streets.

The agency tells those they serve: We see you. And we will meet you exactly where you are.

The services may involve simply helping with paperwork that baffles and intimidates those struggling to understand a system that doesn’t understand them.

The agency also sets up men or women in a transitional home, where they start on the path of learning to live under a roof again, teaching them to cooperate with others in a household. The support staff listens as they describe how they survived on the streets, and learn how to strengthen new skills in ways they haven’t considered before that will also help them not only survive, but flourish.

Some are helped by helping. Many in the program lift up those who are homeless by working in the CANB facilities, where they help feed and assist others who are facing transitional issues.

The dedicated staff knows how to build on successes by gathering the incredible resources in our community to ensure that there are rides to the doctors, visits to social workers and nutritious food in the refrigerators. In addition, it isn’t unusual for the workers to use time off the clock to help with that extra need or concern.

At CAN B, they see the humanity in each person who needs help, and believe that is the best way to ensure that each one can find the way home. And off the streets forever.

Funding for the organization comes through federal grants provided by HUD or the VA. The group has a total of six homes within the county, as well as an emergency shelter.

In the city of Dixon alone, the organization operates two transitional houses for formerly homeless Veterans, giving eligible male veterans a place to live for six to 18 months while improving their income and looking for permanent housing, thus ending the cycle of homelessness while helping them make a positive transition in life.

Change And New Beginnings has eight employees and operates with a $1.4 million budget.

“We help hundreds a year, obtain housing, get off the street and prevent homelessness,” Rader said. ”It takes a village. We cannot fix everybody, but we can connect people with community partners to meet a variety of needs with a variety of resources in the community.”

Volunteer opportunities

CANB has multiple opportunities for those wanting to serve fellow community members. This includes helping prepare and serve food, sorting mail and providing janitorial services. Persons interested in becoming part of the CANB team may email info@canbsolano.org, call 707-427-1148 or visit www.canbsolano.org.

Grocery Outlet offers Dixon residents
a bargain among rising prices

By Mike Danahey

For Joe Bruch, what started off as just a job to pay the bills that was also near where he lived has turned into a 34-year career in the grocery business.

Since October 2020, Bruch and his wife, Christa, have been owner/operators of the Grocery Outlet Dixon.

“I have always loved and been passionate about selling groceries and providing a great shopping experience for my customers,” Bruch said.

Grocery Outlet has its roots in San Francisco, where, in 1946 company founder Jim Read opened the doors of Cannery Sales, his first military surplus store.

Today, Grocery Outlet has more than 300 locations across California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. Bruch said his Grocery Outlet has 25 employees, most of whom live in Dixon.

“Grocery Outlet is one of the largest opportunistic buyers of grocery items in the country,” he said. “We sell name-brand items to customers for up to 60% off conventional grocery store retail prices.”

As Grocery Outlet buys extreme bargains from its suppliers, Bruch said, the business is able to pass on the savings and provide low prices for its customers. Burch noted that Grocery Outlet also prides itself in great customer service, with the understanding that its customers’ time is important to them.

“So you won’t experience long lines or slow check out times at our store,” Bruch said.

Bruch said what he enjoys about running the store is getting to know customers and helping them save money in these times of fast-rising prices.

“We also enjoy spending time giving back to the Dixon community,” Bruch said.

That includes donating items and hosting a collection at the store for the 2021 Samuel Dixon Family Center’s Thanksgiving turkey dinner food drive, which provided supplies to 70 families in need. Grocery Outlet also served as a ticket outlet in January 2022 for “Viva Las Dixon,” a fundraiser for Dixon’s Teen Center.

As for what trends he’s seeing as people shop for groceries, Bruch said a lot more customers are buying natural and healthy foods in recent years.

“For that reason we stock our shelves with more natural, organic, specialty and healthy foods,” he said. “We are also seeing more customers interested in saving money on their everyday grocery items. With inflation and gas prices, customers are concerned about saving money where they can.”

Bruch advises consumers to always shop Grocery Outlets first before hitting another grocery store.

“If you see a great deal or an item you love, stock up, because that opportunity-buy might not be here on your next visit,” he said.

Students’ interests drive lesson plans at Millennium Child Development Center

By Mike Danahey

For parents and guardians seeking quality daycare and programming for their children, the Millennium Child Development Center in Dixon offers an experienced, passionate staff and a unique curriculum.

“We follow an emergent curriculum, which follows the interest of the children to create lesson plans,” said Millennium Child Development Center Director, Vicki Timms.

Those plans are built around the specific developmental needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers as well as children enrolled in after school programs. Using class input and children’s love of play, students explore language studies, art, science, music and social studies while growing their fine and gross motor tasks.

Millennium Child Development Center also provides all students with a nutritious breakfast and snacks. And it’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to accommodate many adult work schedules.

Dixon is the second location for Millennium Child Development Center. The first is in Vacaville, which opened in 2006 and currently has 120 children enrolled. The Dixon operation opened in 2013 and has 90 enrolled students. It currently has openings in its preschool (ages 3 and 4) and pre-k classroom.

“The Millennium Child Development Center opened in Dixon due to meet the need in the town for more center-based child care, especially for infants,” Timms said. “We were already running a very successful center in Vacaville and wanted to bring the same quality care to the Dixon area.”

In her director’s role, Timms oversees the daily running of the Millennium Child Development Center. She hires, manages and schedules staff, and is available to answer parents’ questions and assist with any concerns they might have.

“I enjoy meeting new families and building strong relationships with them while watching their children grow,” Timms said. “Many start with us as young infants and stay through kindergarten or beyond.”

Timms said Millennium Child Development Center staff members have extensive knowledge in child development, with many having worked for the company for more than five years.

For those seeking daycare for their young, Timms suggested those shopping around for infant and toddler rooms schedule facility tours.

The next step most likely will be getting on a waitlist, something Timms said should be done as early as possible. To that point, Timms stressed that spaces are limited, and it can take up to six months for a spot to open up at many if not most places.

“So all parents — call for a tour. Come down and meet us,” Timms said.

First Northern Bank is Dixon’s
Hometown Bank – Since 1910!

Banking is one of those businesses that can be considered a commodity…that is, if you simply provide financial products and services. But our founders understood the need for a community bank that could be a pillar of strength within the community — a solid economic engine that could be counted on in good economic times and bad.

Beyond providing banking services, the bank could be counted on to support and promote community vitality through community outreach, contributions, grants, volunteerism, and reinvestment…in other words, all actions signifying a GENUINE community spirit. And today, that community spirit lives on. We understand that it’s our spirit that has been the hallmark of our success. It all fits together. Our employees love coming to work because they have a job that goes far beyond providing much needed financial products and advisory services, they make a difference in the lives of our customers and communities every day. They enthusiastically contribute at a higher-level for personal satisfaction and the joy of helping and providing service to others.

Our steadfast commitment to giving back to our communities for the past 112 years has led to the high level of trust people have placed in our brand. Our customer referrals grow incrementally every year, and our customer retention rate is one of the highest in the nation.

Regardless of what happens in the economy, our reason for existing as a community bank has never wavered. We are here to build long-lasting relationships where we can address specific financial needs on a personalized basis, provide opportunities for our employees, and be committed and passionate about making a difference in our communities.

Whether we are:

·  Promoting our business customers

·  Assisting local non-profits with getting their messages out

·  Serving on local boards of directors

·  Helping local schools and Boys & Girls Clubs

·  Feeding the hungry

·  Underwriting grants for low-income housing

·  Providing funding for green energy initiatives

·  Teaching financial literacy

·  Providing high school internships

·  Or sponsoring local fundraising events…

…we have a Zest for Excellence in all that we do, and we understand Why We Exist…it is our commitment to this Purpose that has more and more people every day saying…”First Northern, that’s my bank!”

First Northern Bank is an independent community bank that specializes in relationship banking. The Bank was founded in Dixon, CA back in 1910 by local farmers and businesspeople who were looking for a different kind of banking experience. Today, First Northern has 11 branches throughout Solano, Yolo, Sacramento and Placer Counties with a reach into neighboring Contra Costa County with a commercial lending team. In 1996, First Northern Bank’s Board of Directors adopted a Policy of Independence to share with our customers, communities, shareholders, and employees our intention of remaining independent.

Solano Baking Company owner shapes menu to reflect changing trends while following family traditions

By Mike Danahey

Solano Baking Company owner Kendra Benz said her business could be a pinch of Panera Bread, a dollop of Dunkin and a sprinkle of Starbucks.

But what separates her spot in the Dixon Plaza from corporate competition is its authenticity, history and amazing staff members.

“People come by to see the staff, many of whom have been working with me for years. We put out fresh, handmade products and are really nice people,” Benz said. “We lead with kindness, and truly believe every person is important on both sides of our counter. We are also heavily involved in our community and bake and donate for many fundraisers.”

While Solano Baking Company has been around in one form or another since 1981, the business has its roots in the 1970s. Back then, Benz’s grandfather, a retired Air Force pilot, and some fellow pilot friends opened a Winchell’s Donut House off of Travis AFB as well as in the greater Sacramento area.

Benz said that led to other family members opening Winchell’s spots in Northern California, including South Lake Tahoe.

Next, her parents, Arnie and Donna Rubin, opened their own shop as one the first stores in what was then The Solano Mall in Vacaville, Benz said, as well as its Dixon location, then a spot by Travis Air Force Base.

By 1998, the business opened a 12,000 foot industrial-sized bakery in Dixon. Benz said the family’s baked goods were available in myriad places, from truck stops, to hospitals and hotels to large grocers, big box retailers and even filling stations.

With the economic downturn in 2006, the family retrenched, shutting down its warehouse operation and streamlining what it offered, eventually doing away with custom order and wedding cakes and replacing it with breakfast and lunch items.

“We went from full automation baking machines back to rolling pins and scooping our own muffins and cookies,” Benz said.

In recent years, Benz has seen all sorts of trends affecting her business, from plant based “milk” to the diversity of diets to which people now adhere. So, attracting travelers coming off I-80 from between the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, she tries to have various items that meet dietary wants and needs.

One thing has remained constant over time, though: donuts.

“They haven’t changed, and they still sell like crazy,” Benz said.

The shop has its donuts and other baked goods ready by 5:30 a.m., and from noon to 3 p.m. marks them at half price for a happy hour promotion. As the day winds down, Benz sells bags holding four cookies and donuts for $1 a bag.

To keep things local, Benz incorporates Ghirardelli white chocolate mocha into a coffee blend, Torani syrups and sells Peerless coffees and teas.

For a signature sandwich, Benz said it would be the Solano Panini — turkey, melted jack cheese, avocado and aioli served on handmade focaccia with a chocolate chip cookie on the side.

As for what she still enjoys about her 33 years in the bakery business, Benz said, “That’s easy. It’s the people I meet, and the stories they share with us. That, and I absolutely love Northern California.”

Dixon Ace Hardware

A local favorite for over 130 years!

Dixon Ace Hardware has been around longer than all of us. It was founded in 1886 as Dixon Lumber, and stayed that way for nearly 80 years until it was sold and rebranded as Dixon Hardware and Lumber. That was in 1964, and things have pretty much been the same since then, with the exception of becoming Dixon Ace Hardware in the late 1970s.

Our strongpoints are many, including world class customer service (we’ve won the JD Power Award for Best in Customer Satisfaction for 15 of the last 16 years) and, unlike the big box stores, we specialize in personalized help. Need some grass seed? No problem - our associate will lead the way and offer suggestions and advice, if needed.

The store has received hundreds of five-star reviews online, and also gives back to the community in which it serves, with “roundup fundraisers” including $500 for Dixon Family Services just a few months ago and $4,500 year-to-date fundraising for our local CMN Children’s Hospital.

While Dixon Ace is the go to spot in town for nuts and bolts and paint and lumber, we’re so much more than that. We do small engine repair, offer Penske truck rentals, window screen build and repairs, key duplication, and have a world class nursery and garden center that’s now open year round! In addition to all those “hardware” related categories, we’re also known for being “way more than a hardware store” complete with an award-winning BBQ department, a full selection of Yeti drinkware and coolers, and tons of giftable items for every occasion under the sun.

So next time you’re in Dixon Ace, think about this: We’ve been serving this community for 136 years and we’re gonna keep doing what we do best: proudly serving the Dixon community.

Stop by 1505 N. 1st Street, say hello to our Store Manager Ted Hart and his awesome team of helpful associates and discover why we’re so much more than a hardware store.

Farmers Insurance agent Crystal Rico works with customers ‘when they need me the most’

By Mike Danahey

Out of the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crystal Rico is building a thriving business of her own in Dixon as an agent for the Farmers Insurance Group.

“We have a great culture, but I am still an independent business owner. It’s the best of both worlds,” Rico said.

What she enjoys about her work is getting to meet new people, the autonomy her schedule provides, which allows her to maintain a great work/life balance, and the support received from the organization that enables her to thrive.

Prior to starting her insurance agency, Rico had been working as a district manager for a big beauty and self care company, which, like a lot of retail, took a hit during the pandemic.

“My role was eliminated, and I was severanced. I was also expecting my third child, so needless to say, I was in a tough spot,” Rico said.

She decided to find an opportunity that would allow her to work for herself while remaining close to home. Then a family member told her about his own journey with Farmers Insurance and invited her to learn more about that career path.

“He explained it would be a great chance to be an entrepreneur, build a legacy and help people while doing it. I already had the people skills, I just needed to learn insurance. Needless to say, I haven’t looked back,” she said.

Rico sees herself as a trusted advisor, there to position clients to protect their most valuable assets and minimize their exposures.

“I am also their trusted advocate who helps navigate claims when they need me the most,” Rico said. “I am an agent who is available, reliable, and I have my client’s back.”

When shopping for insurance of any sort, she said, along with price there are other factors to consider, including the value of an agent who will take care of everything when called upon to do so.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the things you don’t understand when it comes to coverages,” Rico said. “You want to feel confident in the coverages you need that will protect your assets and a good agent will advise you how to get there.”

Rico also recommends people bundle policies together to maximize savings — and that everyone consider having life insurance.

“There is nothing more valuable than your family. Protecting them is the most important thing anyone can do,” Rico said. “If something were to happen to you, would your loved ones be able to grieve properly without the undue burden of financial stress? Life insurance is the gift of love.”