Contents

Welcome 05

Chamber Board of Directors 06

Chairman’s Circle 06

Community Medical Centers Dixon Clinic 07

Curves 08

Fast Eddie’s Diesel Performance & Repair 10

Haughn & Son Tire Services 12

Jovani’s Plumbing 13

Pacific Southwest Irrigation 14

Dixon Library 15

Local Estate Planning Attorney 16

Dixon Wellness Collective 17

Membership Directories 20

This is a Town Square Publications, formerly MetroMedia (since 1997), publication created and produced for the Dixon Chamber of Commerce

220 N. Jefferson Street, Dixon, CA 95620

707-678-2650 | dixonchamber.org

Copyright © 2023 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | marketing@tspubs.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the Accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Town Square assume no Responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without Permission of the Chamber and Town Square Is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer |
Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Sales Executive | Barry Kenis

Editor | Bob Oswald

Design Project Manager | Mike Nickells

Welcome!

We are pleased to offer the Summer 2023 issue of the Dixon District Chamber of Commerce Connections magazine.

The Membership Directory in the back of the magazine contains the list of all Dixon Chamber of Commerce members as of May 26, 2023. There are two lists – one alphabetically and one by category, making it easier to find the goods and services you might need.

Featured in this issue are even more of our Chamber members, both businesses and nonprofits. As part of our member benefits, the articles and the ads in this issue will also be posted to Facebook, Instagram, and Google My Business.

We will continue to feature and promote our members in future issues of Connections for the significant contributions they make to the economic well-being of our community. They have invested in our community – please support them.

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!

Membership in the Dixon Chamber includers free unlimited promotion and advertising through our Facebook page, Instagram, and Google My Business.

We post member flyers in the Post Office and include them in our email newsletters.

We display our members’ business cards and brochures in our office resource center, and include those in our Newcomer Packets, which are given to the builders for the people that are buying the new homes in Dixon.

Our members have the opportunity to advertise on the Readi-Ride buses, which are seen by hundreds of people every day.

We are always adding member benefits, finding ways to help the businesses and organizations be more successful.

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

Respectfully,

Shauna Manina

President/CEO

Community Medical Centers care for entire Dixon community

By Glenn Stephens

On any given day, Karen Sprague’s patients at the Community Medical Centers clinic in Dixon can include individuals from three days to 94 years old. And they come for a broad range of services, from well-care checkups to cancer screenings.

Sprague, who has been a nurse practitioner at the clinic for 28 years, each day confronts a maze of problems in responding to the needs of up to two dozen patients, mostly local residents and farm laborers.

“One of the most challenging parts of the job is trying to provide what the patients need, trying to get the proper resources and care when they do not have coverage,” Sprague said. “Another part can be just getting them to come in for care when they feel they need to be out working.”

The Dixon clinic is one of 28 facilities operated by Community Medical Centers, based in Stockton and serving San Joaquin and Solano counties in northern California. Funded mostly by the federal government, the non-profit organization provides primary care and dental services.

The company was founded 45 years ago by volunteers providing medical services to migrant farm workers. It was incorporated as a non-profit in 1978 and has steadily grown since then to include about 950 employees.

Sprague, a San Francisco native with a nursing degree from Sacramento State University and a master’s in nursing from Sonoma State University, recounted the cases she had dealt with in one day: hypertension, diabetes, back pain, anxiety, a well-child physical, pregnancy testing, jaw pain, ear pain, birth control and an obstetrics check.

She had cared for a 94-year-old woman earlier in the day, and a three-day old baby the previous day.

“I have had four generations of one family in the room at the same time: great grandma, grandma, mom and baby,” she said.

Those coming to the Dixon center are covered by Medi-Cal or are cash-pay patients, billed on a sliding fee scale based on their income.

Although most patients are local residents, others include migrant farm workers who are in the Dixon area for only part of each year.

“I recently had a young girl come in for a physical. She had started the school year here last fall as a seventh-grader. She left in October when her family moved elsewhere for farm work, then came back in April and is in the same class at school, back with her friends and the same teacher,” Sprague said.

Despite the challenges they face daily, Sprague and other long-time members of the staff operate as a family dedicated to their patients.

“This is my population that I kind of fell in love with when I started working here – wonderful patients, and a staff that is very compassionate. And the patients are so appreciative of everything we provide for them. It’s just a wonderful population to work with.”

Curves’ success due to benefits it
offers women

By Glenn Stephens

Cher Besneatte joined the Curves fitness center when it opened in Dixon in 2002. More than 20 years later, Besneatte and long-time friend Dorothy Luedke not only work out at Curves, but also operate the local franchise as a thriving business dedicated to the health of women.

Besneatte credits hard work and benefits offered by the Dixon Chamber of Commerce for her company’s ability to succeed through financial challenges that include a mandatory shutdown during the pandemic.

But ultimately, she said, Curves has succeeded because of the benefits it offers women.

“Basically, I enjoy helping women to better their lives through better health,” Besneatte said. “I’ve seen older women become more mobile, live longer and be healthier through our programs. This works down to their families, too, with changes in their lifestyles. It just trickles down and the whole family becomes healthier and happier.”

Luedke began working out at Curves when the franchise opened in Dixon in 2002, and she urged Besneatte to join as well. The two women bought the local business as equal partners four years later.

Besneatte said the pandemic was the greatest challenge they have faced, but it has rebounded to about half its pre-pandemic customer base.

“We lost a lot of members,” she said, “but we have been rebuilding, and Curves has some new innovations to attract younger women. We’re a fine community of women who help each other.”

The franchise for a time included the Jenny Craig weight loss and weight management program, but Jenny Craig Inc. went out of business in early May.

Looking toward her 70th birthday, Besneatte decided it was time to retire, and the partners began looking for someone to buy the franchise.

Besneatte points to their participation in the Dixon Chamber of Commerce as a major factor in their success. The franchise was the Chamber’s Business of the Year in 2011, and she served in a leadership role for many years, including a term as its president.

“I think the Chamber is a major help in getting your name out there, and the more you put into the Chamber, the more you get out of it. They’re a big source of advertising, and they offer cross-marketing with other businesses as well as public events that put businesses in the spotlight.”

Besides that, she said, business owners benefit from networking opportunities that the Chamber offers throughout the year.

“The more you volunteer and participate, the more you benefit,” she says.

Fast Eddie’s Diesel Performance &
Repair hitting on all cylinders

By Jerry LaMartina

When Eddie Shaw and his wife, Trina, started Fast Eddie’s Diesel Performance & Repair in Dixon in 2019, they weren’t most people’s first choice.

“I was the cleanup pitcher,” Eddie said. “I just cleaned up everybody’s messes.”

Now, Fast Eddie’s is becoming people’s first choice for diesel-powered vehicle repair. Vacaville Reporter readers chose Fast Eddie’s as the best auto repair shop in Solano County from 2020 through 2022.

The Shaws started with one shop and later leased additional space in two other buildings on the same block. They have three employees.

Eddie worked for Ford for 26 years before starting the business, first as a general technician and later through an apprenticeship program as a journeyman. He’s a triple senior master diesel mechanic.

After all those years working for Ford, Eddie “figured we’d give it a shot” at owning their own business.

“Trina had a lot of faith in me,” he said.

Trina said Eddie was working days at Ford in Fairfield and nights and weekends at the shop.

“I was tired of him working nonstop. I said, ‘You just need to do this full time.’ He didn’t think opening a diesel shop solely would pay the bills. He went out on a limb and took a chance.”

Taking that chance means having the chance to take care of customers, “going the extra mile to fix the problems,” Eddie said.

“People don’t want to go the distance anymore,” he said. “They just do fast repairs. You have to be able to inform the customer correctly about what’s going on. Fixing one problem might reveal another problem.”

Owning the business has taught Eddie you can’t make everybody happy.

“And you need to take the time and patience to walk away and breathe,” he said. “Sometimes it gets frustrating. Walk away and come back to things.”

Customers often tell the Shaws that “we hear you’re the best,” Eddie said.

“We’re not the best, but I try,” he said. “And if you try for your customers and you try to do what you tell them you’re going to do, that makes it easier. That’s my gratification. When people go to other shops and they’re told it’s two, three, four, five thousand dollars to fix a vehicle, and we got it fixed for $600 or $700. And we didn’t take any shortcuts. That’s where I come into play. That’s where I’m happy with what we do.”

Haughn & Son Tire Services:
‘Almost everybody needs tires’

By Jerry LaMartina

Ernest Rodriguez gets extra busy this time of year, “when the farmers start farming.”

Rodriquez owns Haughn & Son Tire Services in Dixon. He bought the business about nine years ago from Jim Haughn, who had started it in 2001.

Haughn & Son sells tires for cars, trucks, recreational vehicles and farm equipment. It also provides brake repairs, air-conditioning services and other mechanical services.

Rodriguez said he bought the business because “I like to serve people.”

“Jim Haughn thought it would be a good idea to start a tire business,” he said. “What better way to serve people than to serve people needing tires? Almost everybody needs tires.”

Haughn & Son gives its customers fair prices, Rodriguez said. “And our hospitality is pretty good.”

Rodriquez has four employees. He’s expanding the operation from two suites into four at the same address. The move is keeping everyone busier than usual.

“When we moved here, I thought I never wanted to do another move again in my entire life,” he said. “It was just too much stuff, and it seemed like a lot of chaos.”

Then he started thinking about the opportunity for growth the move would enable.

“I felt excited about this move and thought about how far we’ve come,” he said. “I constantly go in there and pray over everything, asking God to give me a vision for where to put the lifts and where the customers will be more comfortable. To be honest, I didn’t want to give the better office for the waiting room at first. I thought I wanted that to be my office. It’s bigger and has better lighting. But then I thought that seemed selfish. I should give that to the customer. I’m not in the office a lot, anyway.”

Owning a business has taught Rodriquez a few lessons.

“First, make sure you learn how to manage your money,” he said. “That’s key. When I had a 9-to-5 job, I’d work all day and go home and not have a thought or a worry. Now I’ve learned to try to leave business at the business and not take it home with me. I try to keep it separate from my personal life, which is very hard. A lot of times I go home thinking about work, but I try my best to keep it separate.”

Jovani’s Plumbing:
A venture born of faith

By Jerry LaMartina

Jovani Figueroa took a “giant leap of faith” when he started Jovani’s Plumbing Inc. in 2020.

That faith is reflected in his company’s logo: A drawing of a mountain to represent the New Testament passage about moving mountains with faith the size of a mustard seed, surrounded by a water droplet to represent plumbing.

Figueroa had worked for plumbing companies for 10 years before he decided to venture out on his own. He had come to dislike the trend of some plumbing companies pressuring their employees to sell customers more expensive work than they had asked for.

He wanted to focus on meeting the customer’s needs instead.

“Keep it old school — show up, do the work that’s needed and avoid the hard sell,” he said.

He does all kinds of residential plumbing service and repair, from pipe and drain repairs to fixture and water-conditioning system repairs to whole-house pipe replacement.

He thinks the personal touch he shows customers and his quality of work distinguishes him among his competition.

“And taking your time to get the job done correctly versus rushing ahead to the next one,” Figueroa said. “Also trying to keep prices affordable. And being in a small, local area, the customers who call me usually know who and what they’re going to get, versus the unknown or what is typically expected of a plumber. They’re pleasantly surprised after I’m done.”

One of the lessons he’s learned in owning his business is the importance of communicating with customers.

“Returning phone calls and letting them know what’s going on. Show up. That’s given me a lot of support with customers,” Figueroa said.

Another important lesson is to hire a team of professionals to do the books, taxes and payroll, even as a sole practitioner, which “spreads the load from only me.”

He advertises on Facebook, Instagram and Yelp. He has nearly 40 5-star reviews on Yelp, though he doesn’t ask for reviews. He leaves that to his customers’ discretion. The advertising helps. But word of mouth brings him the most customers.

Figueroa advises people shopping for a plumber to get multiple bids to judge whether the prices are fair. And note some basics: Do they wear shoe covers? Are they courteous? Do they try to upsell you?

Following this path is paying off for Figueroa. His leap of faith has moved a mountain or two.

Pacific SouthWest Irrigation keeps Central Valley ag operations afloat for 20 years

By Marc Sheforgen

Since 2003, Pacific SouthWest Irrigation — with divisions in Dixon, Stockton, Crows Landing, Ballico and Brentwood — has been helping Central Valley farmers figure out how to keep water in their fields.

As no two ag operations are the same, deciding how to efficiently get water where it needs to go often requires custom solutions. Problem solving and innovation are among the qualities that have set Pacific SouthWest apart, said Hunter Kett, the company’s Dixon office manager and fieldman irrigation system designer.

“We’re able to go meet with growers and see exactly what they need so that we can get them the best irrigation equipment to suit their purposes,” Kett said. “We’re full service. We see a project from conception, through the design process and we also do the construction side where we put the pipe in the ground. And then from there, we help with troubleshooting and we also do service.”

Beyond irrigation system design, installation and service, Pacific SouthWest can help with pumps, electrical systems, filters and equipment rental. They also help farmers measure soil conditions to determine the most efficient watering schedules.

“We do pretty much everything but drill the well and provide the water,” Kett said.

Irrigation needs change with the weather, something every area farmer has felt recently. Kett said that Pacific SouthWest helps growers continuously adapt to climate conditions.

“In years past, it’s been dry in California so we’ve had to figure out how to be efficient with our water use and have had to figure out different ways to move water from one area to another creatively,” he said. “Now that we had quite a bit of rain this year, we’ve actually had to figure out ways to get water off of the fields so that the crops don’t drown.”

Pacific SouthWest was established in Stockton by Jim Clare, Gary Simas and Sonny Lucchesi. Clare, who has been working in irrigation since the 1970s, went on to expand the operation to its current five-branch configuration. Each location is a parts store that also dispatches engineers and construction crews.

To learn more about Pacific SouthWest Irrigation, visit www.pacsouthwestirr.com.

Dixon Library blends unique history with contemporary programs and services

The Dixon Library has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century.

The library was built with the help of the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club, a group of dedicated women that recognized the need for a public library in the area. In 1911, the Women’s Improvement Club applied for a Carnegie Grant to fund the construction of a public library. The grant was awarded in 1912, and the Dixon Public Library opened its doors in 1913.

Over the years, the library has undergone numerous renovations and upgrades to better serve the community. One of the most significant changes came in 2020, when the Dixon Public Library merged with the Solano County Library system.

“This merger has allowed the Dixon library to expand its services and resources while maintaining its local identity,” Supervising Librarian Rhea Gardner said. “Through Solano County we can offer a wide range of programs and services for people of all ages.”

One of those programs is the popular Summer Reading Challenge, which encourages children to read during the summer months and offers incentives for reaching reading goals. During the challenge, the library hosts a wide range of performers, from puppet shows to wild-life conservation shows, where children and parents can see baby kangaroos or bats up close.

“It’s an exciting time, and we love being able to provide parents something fun and educational for their children during the summer months,” Gardner said.

Summer Reading runs from June 1 to July 31 and anyone can sign up at the library or through the website at Solanolibrary.com.

Another popular program that occurs year-round is Family Storytime. On Tuesday mornings, Children’s Librarian Corinne McCoy reads books, sings songs and engages young children in craft activities.

“It’s very rewarding to see the kids get excited to sing the opening song,” McCoy said. “We sing the same opening song, ‘Zoom Zoom Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon,’ because the repetition is good for their reading skills.”

The library also has a dedicated Teen Services Associate, Ricky Gjertsen, since the middle school is within walking distance of the library. Gjertsen runs the after-school program, where teens can do various activities such as play video games, decorate cookies or do crafts.

“The best part of my job is being able to foster a positive and welcoming environment, both inside the library and outside the library, with my community outreach and teen-focused library programs,” Gjertsen said.

There are also programs for adults, including the monthly Book Club run by the Adult Librarian, Jennifer Springfield.

“We try to read diverse books from authors of different backgrounds,” Springfield said. “This always makes for lively discussion, even if someone doesn’t agree with a certain viewpoint.”

“We also have unique programs like Paint Night for teens and adults, or Yoga classes for children,” Gardner said.

In addition to its programs and events, the Dixon Library has an extensive collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs, and nontraditional items like violins and ukuleles, available for checkout. The library offers free access to digital resources such as e-books, e-audiobooks, and online databases like Hoopla, Libby, and Freegal. These databases provide homework or resume help, language learning, or music and movie streaming services.

Library cards are free to obtain, and there are no late fines or fees. There is something for everyone, so come into the library and get your library card today!

Local estate planning attorney provides expertise for clients with special needs considerations

By Marc Sheforgen

Barbara Sonin knew since childhood that she was interested in helping people who might struggle to help themselves.

Growing up, one of Sonin’s neighbors had a son with severe developmental disabilities. This, she said, was in a time and place where parents with a special needs child would commonly institutionalize the child. But the parents who lived near Sonin instead dedicated their life to caring for their son, who would never be more independent than an infant.

“I would go over and visit, and the mother would be spoon-feeding him,” Sonin said. “It was quite striking how happy the child was to the extent of his ability to be happy, like an infant. He’d be laughing or smiling because of the care she was able to give him.”

The experience made a profound impression on young Sonin, who realized then that she had a heart for helping others. Her path to making a difference was a winding one. Sonin worked for decades in financial positions at large corporations and small start-ups. But several years ago, she decided to change careers. She graduated from law school, passed the bar and started Sonin Law.

“I really preferred working with people more than I did with numbers,” Sonin said.

With offices in Woodland and Fairfield, Sonin Law provides services in the areas of estate planning, special needs trusts, trust administration, pet trusts, probate and conservatorship. While she does not help only clients with special needs considerations, that area of expertise is what excites her most.

“I have a big concern for people who don’t have enough opportunities,” Sonin said.

No matter the individual or their circumstances, Sonin said that it’s very important that people have a plan in place to deal with their assets. Failing to do so can leave a tremendous burden of time, expense and frustration for people, often family members, left to deal with the situation.

“If people do a trust, they get to stay out of court entirely,” she said.

Sonin said it’s been rewarding to help people through the complexities associated with getting their affairs in order.

“I don’t like bureaucracy anymore than anyone else does,” she said. “But I can navigate that area, and many people can’t. Because I can maneuver in that space but am still able to communicate with people, I can assist people where those rules and regulations meet their lives.”

For more information about Sonin Law, visit www.bsoninlaw.com.

Female-owned Dixon Wellness Collective part of the community for five years

By Mike Danahey

There was recent cause for celebration at Dixon Wellness Collective as it marked five full years since opening for business.

“I was, and still am, part of a group of cannabis activists based in Sacramento,” owner Haley Andrew said. ”After Proposition 64 was passed in California, I teamed up with my mentors turned business partners Kimberly Cargile and Deanna Garcia, and together we opened Dixon Wellness Cannabis Collective, the first dispensary in Dixon and only entirely female owned dispensary in Solano County, June of 2018.”

The business now has about 20 staff, and Andrew said most have been working there for at least two years.

“Along with the regular CalOSHA required training for CA workplaces, it is important for all of our team to be well-educated about the science behind cannabis and the human body,” Andrew said. “We then encourage our staff to pass their knowledge onto our guests so that their cannabis needs can be met as well.”

As such, Andrew said customers shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. Many people come in and think they have to shop quickly and make choices completely on their own, she said, but staff is there to help choose the right product.

“We know cannabis can be intimidating for so many people, and our mission is to ease those worries and allow the time to make your decision,” Andrew said. “We will teach you what amount of cannabis or what type of consumption may be ideal for you and what brands or cannabinoids could work best for what you are trying to find relief from.”

Andrew said the business is doing well and has been accepted by the community. To that point, Dixon Wellness Collective was named Best Cannabis Dispensary 2022 in the Daily Republic’s Readers Choice survey and 2021 Business of the Year by the Dixon Chamber of Commerce.

“We are thankful and humbled by all of the awards that we have received over our years so far. It shows how much pride and passion our team puts into the store each and every day,” Andrew said. “We are genuinely so thankful for every customer who walks through our door and for all the relationships we have built over the years. We cannot be more thankful that our little town loves having their own local, female owned cannabis dispensary to shop for all their cannabis needs.”

Looking ahead, Andrew said Dixon Wellness Collective will be expanding to offer delivery soon and will be bringing its message to the public by various means.

“We are always hosting brand demos in-store and are combining forces with other local businesses to bring cannabis education out of the dispensary and into the streets of Solano County. You will see us at events like Grillin & Chillin, the May Fair, and local farmers markets,” Andrew said.

Advertiser Index

707 Diesel & Auto Repair 4

Alkar Human Resources 9

B811 Medical Transportation 11

Bay Stamp & Engraving 9

Budget Blinds 9

Buzz Oates Construction 9

California Water Services Inside Front Cover

Curves - Dixon 11

Dixon Montessori School 3

Dixon United Methodist Church 3

Dixon Wellness Collective 1

Happy Paws Kennels 11

Haughn & Son Tire & Propane 4

Pacific Southwest Irrigation 4

Silveyville Cemetary District 3

Solano Transportation Authority Back Cover

The Dixon Tribune 11

Tully Consulting 1