A Message from Chamber CEO Douglass Wilhoit:
So Many Great Things Happened in April

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MAY 2005 - April 2005 was truly a month to remember in the history of our great city. The joy of Spring was really in the air. It is very hard to comprehend all the great things that happened in Stockton in the month of April. It is truly a demonstration to the non-believers, a small but shameless group, who don’t join the rest of us with positive thoughts and actions. They continually stand in the way of progress and do not participate or support all the great events and venues that take place here in Stockton. That old myth of “nothing to do” is about to be buried deep in the ground.

Hopefully, many of you who are reading this column attended one or more of the wonderful opportunities to enjoy your community. If you did not, you missed some great fun, excitement and entertainment. I really do not know where to start but let me list what April brought us...

The dedication of the new ballpark was held on Wednesday, April 27th and the Ports’ opening game at Banner Island Ballpark was on the 28th. They were truly wonderful events... if you were there then you know what I am talking about. The good news is that you will have many chances to be in the ballpark if you already have season tickets. If not, it is still not too late to get tickets. The Ports have great ticket packages and a game is a wonderful place to go with family and friends.

When the entire Banner Island Project is completed, we will be the envy of so many cities, both far and wide, and an example of what a community working together can do.

April also brought us the Brubeck Festival, which attracted people from far and wide. Our 78 year old Stockton Symphony did us proud with its premier performance of Chris Brubeck’s wonderful works. Now is the time to get season tickets for the upcoming Symphony season.

Dance for Power had a delightful presentation of Hansel and Gretel performed at Delta’s Atherton Auditorium. The (Fox) Bob Hope Theatre was filled to capacity with two different shows and soon the Broadway Comes to Stockton series will be announced and tickets will go on sale.

Stockton Civic Theatre presented wonderful performances of the very popular Glass Menagerie.

The wonderful Haggin Museum premiered Pulitzer Prize Photo Collection. Seeing this show is a chance of a lifetime! It is still going on so take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience history.

 April also allowed Stockton and Brookside Country Club to be the hosts for the Canadian Tour Event, the Northern California Classic. Stockton was truly well showcased on the Golf Channel. The Chamber wants to thank the people at Brookside, the City, all the sponsors and volunteers who made this a great event. It will be an annual event so plan to be a sponsor and a member of the gallery next year. You will enjoy the experience and see some great golf.

Speaking of golf, the Chamber Golf Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park was a huge success in spite of the wind. Thanks to our committee, players, sponsors and the staff of the Reserve for a great day.

Of course, you know that the 20th Asparagus Festival was a huge success. Downtown Stockton again shined and people came away happy and marveling at the wonderful things taking place. Our many thanks to all the City departments, the volunteers, sponsors, vendors and entertainers who made it all possible. A great big thank you to all the agricultural community who tilled the soil to bring us the wonderful asparagus and the inspiration for a Best of the West Food Fest. With the ballpark and the event center open next year, the festival will get even better.

Please check the Chamber’s Web sites (www.VisitStockton.org and www.StocktonChamber.org) on a regular basis so you can keep up with all the great events and performances taking place. You do not want to miss out on the excitement.

One small amount of Chamber business is that your Board of Directors has approved a modest 5% dues increase at all levels of membership. This increase will take place at the start of our fiscal year on July 1st. The last Chamber dues increase was in 1998 and all of you know that the cost of doing business has risen since that time. As a nonprofit business organization, it is necessary to make an adjustment from time to time and we have held off until now but the board felt this was a fair, timely and needed increase to continue serving you and the community. Thank you for your support in this matter and your total support of you Chamber.

Hope to see you all at the many events upcoming in the new and improved City of Stockton.