Community Medical Centers is turning to the spoken word and storytelling to gain the attention of young people in San Joaquin County’s diverse communities and raise their awareness of the dangers of substance use.

The San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation Division has extended its temporary closure of parks and facilities through May 31, 2020. This includes dog walking, nature trails, boat ramps, disc golf courses, playgrounds, campgrounds, fishing and all other park amenities in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

All Rotary Clubs in the Stockton Community have collaborated with Yosemite Foods, Inc. in an effort to help the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton and our community in this time of need.

The fear of being infected with the coronavirus — coupled with job losses, closed schools, shuttered churches, empty shelves and plummeting stocks — is stressful enough.

Take time to take a deep breathe and read how to handle stress and isolation.

“Concrete things like filling up a jug of water or buying a couple of cans of food can help,” Benjamin Farmer, a family therapist said. “Taking clear, small steps to move in a direction where they can feel they have some control. Reaching out to others to ask how they are doing can help an anxious person cope. Having a support system in place, even if it’s only one or two people, is enough to alleviate anxiety. Reframing how they approach this virus, saying, ‘I am socially isolating to protect my family.’ Reframing can give people a sense of power to navigate that stress."

Protecting our community from the devastating effects of COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus 2019.  Stocktonians have always responded to doing the “right thing” and at this time the “right thing” is following the guidelines as established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health as well as San Joaquin County Public Health Services. 

It is with gratitude, but also sadness that the Board of Directors announces that Mary Lucero, CEO of the Emergency Food Bank (EFB) of Stockton and San Joaquin County plans to move back to Utah in April to be near her aging parents who have both had serious health challenges recently. 

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) awarded $2,7 million to SJMC and $450,000 to SJ General Hospital to support their local Residency programs at a special ceremony held by San Joaquin Medical Society.  These programs train doctors in several disciplines to benefit the local communities.

On display will be nacimientos (nativity scenes) by parishes and individuals from the community. The featured display will be by Gloria Becerra of St Gertrude’s Parish. Her detailed biblical scenes show the life of Christ from birth to his ascension into heaven.

Friday, Dec. 13, Dutch Bros Stockton is opening its newest location at 1509 E Hammer Lane. On the day of the opening, with purchase of one drink receive nine stamps!

Hunger during the holidays is a hard reality for many college students, which explains why a community donation this week to Delta College’s new Student Food Pantry was so appreciated – and why more help is needed in the weeks and months to come.