Summer Fun

Posted on May 19, 2019 by digitalgear

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Downtown Stockton is a place where people of all ages can find something for them and have a great time, especially in the summer season! With summer vacation fast approaching, families with kids can consider spending some time together exploring downtown Stockton at the following events and locations.

Regal Cinemas Stockton City Centre & IMAX

Almost everyone in Stockton visits the downtown area when they want to see movies. This summer, there are plenty of films coming soon to the Regal Cinemas Stockton City Centre for families to check out.

If you’ve already seen the much anticipated Avengers: Endgame, you might want to get tickets to see Ugly Dolls, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, A Dog’s Journey, Aladdin, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Toy Story 4, The Lion King, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, or The Angry Birds Movie 2.

For tickets and showtimes, check out Regal Cinemas Stockton City Centre online: https://www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-stockton-holiday-cinema/1816#/buy-tickets-by-cinema?in-cinema=1816&at=2019-05-14&view-mode=list

Full Moon Riders

For the families interested in bicycling or enjoy being active over the summer, the Full Moon Riders is the perfect event series. Each ride begins at 6:00 PM on the night of the full moon from May – Oct., and always begins at Janet Leigh Plaza. It’s a great opportunity to ride along with the community and explore downtown Stockton.

For future riding dates and additional information check out,

full-moon-riders

Stockton Ports Baseball

Sports-loving families can get together and cheer on the Stockton Ports. Watch the minor league team take on opposing teams, while spending time together as a family. The Stockton Ports offer plenty of promotions throughout the summer for fans to have even a better time at the ballpark.

Bonus: The DSA also does frequent Ports game ticket giveaways via social media, so if you’re not already following DSA’s facebook, instagram, and twitter, you may want to start this summer!

For more information and the Stockton Ports schedule, check out, https://www.milb.com/stockton

Cesar Chavez Library

School may be out for the summer, but it is still a good time to expand your mind and learn something new everyday. While you can always visit the Cesar Chavez Library, starting on June 1st to July 31st, families can participate in the San Joaquin County Summer Reading Program. Participants can win prizes at the end of the challenge and there are categories for kids, teens, and adults.

For more information on Cesar Chavez Library, check out, http://www.ssjcpl.org/locations/stockton/chavez.html

And for more information on the San Joaquin County Summer Reading Program, check out, http://www.ssjcpl.org/programs/sumReading.html

Downtown Stockton is fantastic and fun place for families to spend the summer. It’s always awesome to explore and take on new experiences, and downtown Stockton has a lot to offer families. So maybe think about calling a family meeting and plan a visit to downtown Stockton.

STOCKMARKET

Posted on April 27, 2019 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Stockmarket is a local event that provides an opportunity for friends and families to explore and experience Stockton businesses. This is Stockmarket’s fifth year and they are in a NEW location at the Waterfront Marina at 445 W. Weber Avenue in #DowntownStockton. This past Saturday (April 20th) was the FIRST Stockmarket of the year! If you missed it, don’t worry! You still have an opportunity to check it out on June 22nd, August 17th, and October 19th from 10am to 4pm.

“With each year and location, we encourage attendees to join us to activate areas of our city that need some love! Our festival will feature 70+ vendors of art, handmade items, vintage goods, live music and tons of delicious local food options. We act as a platform to showcase local small business and to boost our local economy through supporting makers in our city. The festival is free to guests, dog friendly, and creates a fun atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy a day at the beautiful downtown waterfront.”

Founder’s Vision

Amy and Katie, the founders of Stockmarket, had a vision for a space in Stockton where businesses could sell their goods while creating a positive atmosphere in the community. Stockmarket first launched in 2015 with around 700 guests, and now in 2019 they’re attracting almost 3000 guests to a fun event for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“As we grow in size, and people spread the word about what the event is, and what it supports— we continue to hear great feedback from guests. Not only do they feel good about supporting local vendors, they enjoy having a space they can go to free of charge with the whole family (dogs included), to enjoy live music, taste local cuisine and meet new people along the way.”

Resource for Local Businesses

Not only is it a fun time for visitors to explore local businesses and enjoy tasty food, but it’s also good for the vendors. “We have had amazing feedback from our vendors. Not only have we had over 10 small businesses go from booths to brick and mortar, but we constantly hear positive feedback from vendors to surrounding cities who had never previously been to Stockton. It is important for us to change any negative perception people may have of our city, and part of Stockmarket is giving visitors a positive experience they can share with others. We hear all the time Stockmarket has a family feel atmosphere and we are all in it together to create a community event to be proud of.”

If you had a good time at Stockmarket before, you need to check out the event now that they’re downtown. And if you’ve never heard of or been to Stockmarket, definitely come out to the Waterfront Marina in #DowntownStockton to check it out!

Full Moon Riders

Posted on April 20, 2019 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Bicycling! Whether it’s a hobby, how you get to work, or a way of life, there are a series of events coming soon that you need to be aware of right away! For the fifth year, the Downtown Stockton Alliance is hosting the Full Moon Riders starting TODAY, April 20th. The Full Moon Riders will be gathering to ride every month on the evening of the full moon from April through October. Each ride will be led by various local organizations and be an opportunity to experience the wonder of downtown Stockton. This will also be the first time that the Downtown Stockton Alliance will be donating $1 per rider to a different non-profit organization at each ride.

Courtney Wood, the economic development coordinator for the Downtown Stockton Alliance explained the background and purpose of the Full Moon Riders event. “I think the original goal was that downtown was kind of empty at certain times and [the Downtown Stockton Alliance] were like, ‘wow, this would be great to have bike riding here’ because there aren’t many cars in the evenings when people go home from their offices. So it’s kind of a cool place to bike ride. I think that was part of it: to get people down here to use the streets to promote bicycling.”

Bikes & Bites

Not only is this event an opportunity to give visitors and residents a unique look at downtown Stockton, but also a chance to grab a bite to eat with fellow cyclists. At the end of rides, leaders will direct the riders to some of their favorite restaurants in the area for a filling and delicious dinner or maybe just a quick snack. If anything, it is a chance for people to come together after a fun ride and take pleasure in some downtown Stockton cuisine. Some participating restaurants may even have special deals and offers for the Full Moon Riders.

And if that still doesn’t sound like a good time, there will also be a giveaway at each ride for the first 100 riders. Registration always begins at 5:15pm in Janet Leigh Plaza on the day of the ride.

The Downtown Stockton Alliance Ambassadors will be helping out at the event. Special events ambassador Shirley Griffith explained the role that the ambassadors play during the event. “We have a table set up with giveaways and signup sheets, so at the beginning we get everybody’s name and email. We also take liability forms and give the riders the giveaway prize. And when they leave the plaza to go on their rides, we load everything up, go to the restaurant that is participating that night and put out bike racks.” So while everyone is enjoying themselves on their rides, it’s the ambassadors that are making sure everyone has a great experience.

So if you’re someone who simply enjoys a leisurely bike ride or you’re a passionate bicyclist, you definitely want to join the Full Moon Riders and experience another side of downtown Stockton. Just remember to ride responsibly and that children under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet.

Listed below are some more details on each of the upcoming rides. You can also find more information at https://www.downtownstockton.org/play/full-moon-riders-2/

April 20th

6-8:15pm, led by the San Joaquin Bike Coalition.

Non-profit beneficiary: SJ Pride Center

Restaurant: Channel Brewing, Cast Iron, and Kabob & Gyro House

May 18th

6-9pm, led by Deacon Steve from the HUB

Non-profit beneficiary: the HUB

Restaurant: Cancun

Bonus: After-ride bike-in movie!

June 17th

6-8:15pm, led by the San Joaquin Bike Coalition

Non-profit beneficiary: Ready-to-Work

Restaurant: Papa Urb’s & Alfalfa’s

July 16th

6-8:15pm, led by Roadfinch

Non-Profit beneficiary: Mary Magdalene Community Services

Restaurant: All participating Downtown restaurants

August 15th

6-8:15pm, led by Roadfinch

Non-profit beneficiary: Child Abuse Prevention Council

Restaurant: The Downtowner, Subway

September 13th

6-8:15pm, led by Stockton Bike Club

Non-profit beneficiary: Mexican Heritage Center

Restaurant: Nena’s, D’lilah’s Cakery

October 13th

6-8:15pm, led by Robby’s Bicycles

Non-profit beneficiary: HATCH Workshop

Restaurant: participating Janet Leigh Plaza restaurants

Bikes & Blessings: Deacon Steve and the HUB

Posted on June 15, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

What is the HUB?

The HUB, or Helping Urban Bicyclists, provides FREE services for those who need assistance with bike repairs and maintenance. Operated by Deacon Steve, a well-known and respected leader in the Downtown Stockton community, the HUB is a reflection of his relentless love and compassion for members of the Downtown Stockton community.

Why was the HUB created?

Prior to the existence of the HUB, Deacon Steve worked for years repairing and maintaining bicycles. He noticed that people who couldn’t afford bike parts or repairs were turned away. Out on the streets, he knew there were individuals who had squeaky, derelict bikes as their sole means of transportation. Some resorted to theft as a result of lacking funds to spend towards repairs. Deacon Steve felt inspired to help, stating “we needed to be compassionate.” He decided to create a place where people could receive free bicycle assistance, providing them with the ability to continue traveling to their jobs, doctor’s appointments, and community activities. For those who can’t afford cars, Deacon Steve knows that bikes can serve as vessels to increased mobility, independence, and self-improvement.

Bikes & Blessings

The HUB is a neighbor to the Saint John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, where Deacon Steve serves as (you guessed it!) Deacon. It isn’t surprising then, to learn that the church and the HUB both resonate similar values. In fact, the HUB’s sign depicts the gears of a bicycle around the flag of the church, representing their close tie. But don’t worry- the HUB welcomes anyone and everyone – regardless of religious background. The HUB’s main purpose may be to repair bikes, but people find their way in for various reasons. Inside the HUB, weary bicyclists can find light refreshments (including freshly popped popcorn!), water, and a space to find a moment of peace. Often, individuals will come by to seek guidance from Deacon Steve, or to have a talk with him about spiritual matters while he tinkers away.

Why is Downtown Stockton a Great Location for the HUB?

Deacon Steve believes the HUB’s location allows it (as well as the church) to “stretch their hands of love and compassion to reach people” – and that’s exactly what it does. The HUB’s services are entirely free, as the business relies completely on donations and community partnerships to help others. Since its inception, they’ve assisted countless under-employed and homeless Downtown individuals with their transportation needs. Along with Deacon Steve’s visible love of and devotion to his work at the HUB, he also feels strongly about Stockton as a city. In regards to the stereotypes that often shroud the Downtown Stockton area, he asserts that it is “a myth we need to change- [Downtown Stockton] is not a place to be feared, but a place to be celebrated.” In the 20 years that he’s been here, he’s witnessed the continued revitalization of Downtown Stockton as housing, new restaurants, and small businesses have made Downtown Stockton their home.

The HUB & Full Moon Riders

The HUB is very collaborative and involved with community events, and will even be leading an upcoming Full Moon Riders bike ride. Deacon Steve enjoys this event because, “everyone participates, and that’s the beauty of the Full Moon Riders.” At the July 27^th ride, there will be a bicycle blessing with oils blessed by the bishop. There will also be T-shirts for sale, adorned with an image of Madonna del Ghisallo, the Saint of Cycling. All proceeds will go to the HUB in their continued mission to serve the community.

To learn more about the HUB and their events, follow their Facebook page.