OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

PREVIOUS EVENTS

     SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: CASA DE MAC

By: Mariah Ring

     If you want food with attitude, look no further because Casa De Mac has you covered. Family owned pop-up taco stand and catering business, Casa De Mac, was founded in 2020 by Eddie and Laura Avalos as a way to make extra money during widespread shutdowns. Starting off with a menu consisting only of ceviche and micheladas, they now offer a variety of classic Mexican dishes and some with a modern twist.

    This mother and son duo dishes up delicious Mexican food, using Laura’s authentic recipes. Casa De Mac is well-known for their birria dishes, including quesabirria tacos, birria pizza, and birria ramen. Classic staples such as street tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and baked potatoes are also available and can be topped with your choice of protein. For those with a sweet tooth, look out for their agua frescas and desserts which include chamoy candies, made with Casa De Mac’s signature chamoy. Not only are the candies available to purchase, but the flavored chamoy and michelada mixes are as well, available in multiple flavors. All of these dishes, along with special requests are available for full-service and drop-off catering, bringing the Casa De Mac quality to your event. 

     From classics to fresh takes on traditional dishes, Casa De Mac has it all and only plans to keep growing. The pop-up was recently crowned Best of the Fest at the Modesto Taco Festival, voted for by hundreds of attendees. Though they are currently only available at pop-up and catered events, Eddie and Laura are hoping to open a food truck in the near future and would love to open a brunch restaurant eventually. In addition to serving up great food, owner Eddie recently passed his contractor’s exam and opened Casa De Mac Lath and Plaster, expanding the Casa De Mac empire. With an experienced team and drive to perfect their work, Casa De Mac Lath and Plaster is able to serve customers from the Central Valley and Bay Area. Eddie’s favorite part of running the Casa De Mac businesses so far, has been meeting new people and forming networking relationships. He stated that to create and grow new businesses, you have to be patient, ambitious, and memorable. To see Casa De Mac’s pop-up schedule, follow them on Instagram, @casademac!

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: SAN JOAQUIN PRIDE CENTER

By: Mariah Ring

    When San Joaquin Pride Center (SJPC) initially formed, it was a place for community members to gather with like-minded peers. Almost 15 years later, SJPC is a non-profit with its own center in Stockton, serving the “diverse LGBTQ+ communities in San Joaquin County and the surrounding areas by creating a safe and welcoming space for unique identities to thrive.” The center is able to provide educational and health resources to transitional aged youth and beyond, allowing for whole-person holistic wellness and gender affirming care.

    SJPC hosts a vast array of educational, social, and wellness activities and services to support the LGBTQ+ community. The center provides comprehensive transgender support services, which includes support groups, gender affirming garments, tailored social events, and a streamlined process to help legally change name and gender markings. In efforts to spread awareness and respect for the queer identifying population, SJPC delivers educational presentations on cultural awareness and sensitivity. These presentations can be customized to be relevant for any audience and are available upon request, with a goal to increase respect for the community they represent. Additionally, they work with school-based Gay-Straight Alliance clubs to provide similar training and ensure there are safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. Due to the center’s origins as a social hub, they consider themselves an activity based center, holding a variety of events for all ages. Youth are encouraged to participate in youth hang-out nights and youth specific groups. Youth that want to be more involved with the center are able to attend the Youth Empowerment Summit, a day for high school students to participate in workshops and leadership development. At the Summit, ideas are freely shared and experiences are exchanged. Students are informed of their rights as members of the LGBTQ+ community, practice boundary setting, and learn about healthy coping mechanisms. There is no shortage of exciting gatherings for adult community members as Drag shows, flag raisings, speed dating, community picnics, and more are hosted throughout the year. To ensure the physical wellness of all, SJPC offers rapid STI testing and PrEP prescriptions at no cost. Counseling is also available at no cost for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+, and can be delivered one-on-one, to couples, or through Telehealth. SJPC is able to provide whole-person holistic care through the services they offer to the community, ensuring that every individual has the tools they need to be their truest self.

    To those that work at SJPC, it is more than just a community space. Jonathan, the Senior Youth Outreach Coordinator, has worked at the center for over 11 years and has seen immense growth during the last decade. He stated that the center is “in the business of saving lives,” and that the resources he is able to help provide through his work helps heal his teen self who did not have access to a center like this. Phillip, a Programs and Community Director, admires the high energy of the center, stating that the team has an infectious dynamic and has helped him with the transition to a growth mindset. Both Jonathan and Phillip hope to watch the center continue to grow and find its place in the community, allowing them to host more consistent support groups and events. They are constantly adapting to help the growing needs of San Joaquin county and collaborating with like-minded organizations to achieve their goals and provide assistance in any way possible.

    June is nationally recognized as Pride month, celebrating the achievements and cultural contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. SJPC will be sponsoring Lodi Pride on June 14th  to celebrate and uplift the community. The center will host their own Pride event in Stockton later this year, on Saturday October 4th. SJPC’s physical center is currently closed for maintenance, however, all services are still available to the community, except for counseling which will resume in August of this year. To learn more about SJPC, follow them on IG, @sjpridecenter, or visit their website below!

CREATIVE NATIVE Q & A: CHLOE ALEXIS

Q: What is your name and hometown? 

A: My name is Chloe Alexis, and my hometown is Modesto, CA!

Q: How were you first introduced to music?

A: I was around 7 years old when I found an old keyboard in my mom's closet. I asked her about it and told me she used to play. I took that keyboard into my room, played it every day and night by myself, and learned how to play on my own.

Q: Is creating music your full time career? If not, is that your goal? 

A: Creating music is my full time career, and I hope it always continues to be!

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Are there artists/ musicians that inspire you?

A: My main source of inspiration is life, the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs, the dreams and disappointments. Whatever I’m facing, finds a melody, and my hands find a way to express the rest. A few artists that influence the musician in me are Jeremy Zucker, Pat Benatar, and The Fray!

Q: Do you have advice for youth that are interested in pursuing a career in the arts but may be anxious to start?

A: Find what brings life into you, and cherish that part of yourself. Like a little fire, you’ve got to keep it from being snuffed out by wind and harsh conditions! Don’t let any discouragements of life take away something that makes you, uniquely you- in your heart. Nurture whatever it is that you love to create, and let it grow. It’s easier to be discouraged and anxious, and let it keep you down. It’s harder to be vulnerable, and step out into something that creatively expresses your heart. Find what fuels your fire, protect it, and let yourself grow.

Q: What do you believe is the most prominent or most recurring theme in your music? What does this theme mean to you? 

A: The main theme throughout my music is self-discovery and vulnerability. Finding myself in different situations of life, and expressing those emotions through words, in a way that isn’t as easily expressed in a casual conversation, but has permission to through music. Growing up, I felt I didn't have a voice. I remember feeling lonely, and that the only times I could say how I felt was through my keyboard by my bed at night. Being able to sing, and express my heart and share what I see about life, is a precious thing to me, that connects with the theme of the songs I sing. 

Q: Where can people go to hear your work?

A: You can listen to my music at a gig where there’s live music, or on YouTube!

Q: Do you have any community events or collaborations coming up that you would like to promote? 

June 7th: “The Backyard Movement” in Antioch / “Market Saturdaze” (10am-2pm)

June 21st: “The Makers Boulevard” in Brentwood (9am-12pm) & “Vinhos Wine Lounge” in Merced (8pm-11pm)

June 27th: “Contentment Brewing” in Modesto (6pm-9pm)

July 5th: “Ripon Taphouse” in Ripon (6pm-9pm)

July 11th: “Crown & Crow” in Brentwood (9pm-12am)

COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES