Redwood Credit Union Recognized for Outstanding Performance in Investment Services

Six wealth management advisors at Redwood Credit Union (RCU) received Pacesetter awards, and RCU’s investment marketing efforts were also recognized at the CUSO Financial Services (CFS) “Fulfilling the Vision” 2018 Annual Conference, recently held in San Diego, California. Mike DeFazio earned the 2018 Gold Pacesetter Award (his 9th consecutive gold win), while Julie Nix and Christine Foster earned the Silver Pacesetter Award, and Steve Kerston, Clark Matthiessen, and Joseph Turfa earned the Bronze Pacesetter Award. In addition, RCU received its 3rd consecutive Gold Impact award for its wealth management services marketing campaign.

Affiliated with broker dealer and Registered Investment Advisor, CUSO Financial Services, LP, DeFazio, Nix, Foster, Kerston, Matthiessen, and Turfa were recognized for being the top-producing registered representatives among hundreds of credit union and bank programs across the country.

DeFazio joined RCU’s wealth management team in 2007, bringing more than 10 years of business and management experience. Nix has been with RCU since 2014, assisting clients with portfolio analysis, retirement planning, risk assessment and more. Foster has more than 26 years of experience in financial services and has worked for RCU since 2001. Kerston started at RCU in 2010 and specializes in retirement planning and risk management. Matthiessen has been a financial advisor at the credit union since 2001, helping members develop investment strategies that meet their individual goals. And Turfa joined RCU’s wealth management team in 2009, bringing more than 15 years of retirement planning and investment expertise.

“We’re proud to see these advisors recognized for their accomplishments,” said Tom Hubert, senior vice president of wealth management, auto services and insurance services at RCU. “In a crowded industry, these individuals have established themselves as professionals of the highest caliber. They are an inspiration to all of us who strive for excellence in our profession.”

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About Redwood Credit Union

Founded in 1950, Redwood Credit Union (RCU) is a full-service financial institution providing personal and business banking to consumers and businesses in the North Bay and San Francisco. RCU offers complete financial services, including checking and savings accounts, auto and home loans, credit cards, online and mobile banking, business services, commercial and SBA lending, wealth management, financial planning services, and more. The Credit Union also offers insurance and discount auto sales through their wholly-owned subsidiary. RCU has over $4.3 billion in assets and serves over 320,000 Members with full-service branches from San Francisco to Ukiah, more than 30,000 fee-free network ATMs nationwide, and convenient, free online and mobile banking. RCU can be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/redwoodcu and on Twitter at @Redwoodcu. For more information, please call 1 (800) 479-7928 or visit www.redwoodcu.org.

About CUSO Financial Services, LP and Sorrento Pacific Financial LLC

CUSO Financial Services, L.P. and Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC (Members FINRA/SIPC) are subsidiaries of Atria Wealth Solutions. Established in 1997, they specialize in placing investment programs inside credit unions and banks, providing customized investment and insurance solutions to over 200 financial institutions throughout the country, with $30+ billion in AUA. Headquartered in San Diego, with branch offices nationwide, both broker-dealers are SEC Registered Investment Advisers, with expertise in key areas including retirement services, wealth management, advisory solutions and insurance products for individuals and business customers.  For more information, see www.cusonet.com or visit their LinkedIn pages: CFS and SPF.

Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. Redwood Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union Members.

SolarCraft Completes Solar Power System at New Life Christian Center

Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft, a leading North Bay solar installer for over 35 years,  recently completed the installation of a 111 kW DC solar system at New Life Christian Center in Novato, CA.  The system is designed to offset close to 93% of their annual utility bills for the church and school facilities.  New Life is reducing their operating costs by thousands every month and stabilizing energy expenses for decades to come.

The solar power system is roof mounted for maximum southern sun exposure and consists of 309 high-efficiency solar panels, producing 155,996 kWh annually.  Excess power generated during the day is banked by PG&E for credit towards future use.

The church is displaying community leadership by promoting environmental responsibility through the implementation of the solar photovoltaic system, but also recognizes the importance of managing operation costs wherever possible.  SolarCraft presented to the Church new financing options which are very favorable for non-profits and deliver sound financial returns.

SolarCraft presented very favorable financing options, which allow non-profits to benefit from federal incentives.  With a lease or PPA, the provider is able to monetize federal incentives and passes the benefits through to non-profits via lower lease payments, or as in a PPA, lower contracted utility rates. Additionally, leases and PPAs are designed to minimize or eliminate initial up-front costs, making solar immediately affordable for non-profits that want to be green.

During the life of the system, over 6 million pounds of carbon dioxide generated by New Life Christian Center’s operations will be eliminated.  This impact is equivalent to removing air pollution produced by nearly 10 million miles of driving over 25 years or the pollutants removed by 53 acres of trees in one year.

About New Life Christian Center
New Life Christian Center facility is shared by New Life Church and Marin Christian Academy, located in Novato, CA. The church is associated with the Assemblies of God (AG). New Life is a community of believers committed to the Great Commission (making disciples of nations) in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Marin Christian Academy is an accredited, independent, faith-centered school for students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Throughout the school’s history, MCA has remained dedicated to educational excellence in a nurturing and uplifting environment.

SolarCraft is 100% Employee-Owned and one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over
35 years.  SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Electric, Solar Pool Heating and Battery / Energy Storage.  With over 7,000 customers, our team of dedicated employee-partners is proud to have installed more solar energy systems than any other company in the North Bay.    
www.solarcraft.com.

The Buck Institute for Research on Aging Sites AGEs as Drivers of Age-Related Disease

An inevitable by-product of metabolism, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are toxic molecules formed when proteins, DNA and fats become bound after exposure to sugar.  They are also in some of the foods we eat.

 Pankaj Kapahi thinks the research community has neglected the importance of AGEs because they are challenging to study. Now he is on a mission to get scientists to focus on them as a driver of many age-related diseases. The Buck professor makes his case in a review article recently published in the journal Cell Metabolism; the work also gives us good reason to avoid foods that contain AGEs. (More on food later, but for now, try to hold off on the barbequed ribs.)

AGEs affect nearly every cell type and our bodies have inherent defense mechanisms that can clear them. But the production of AGEs really ramps up when blood sugar is high, and eating a typical high-carbohydrate, highly processed Western diet can overwhelm those natural defenses. Further, some of us are likely to be genetically prone to develop more of them, no matter what we eat.

AGEs and disease

AGEs make our cells old before their time, and over time the molecules accumulate in our tissues. The AGEs cause chronic inflammation, make proteins lose their shape, and send our metabolism into a sugar burning state, making it hard to lose weight. To make matters worse, the molecular damage from AGEs is irreversible.

AGEs contribute to obesity and metabolic syndrome. They’ve long been implicated in insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes (which affects more than 29 million people in the U.S.) and are linked to its complications – diabetic nerve pain, retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, and kidney disease. In addition, AGEs are now seen as potential players in neurodegeneration.  Recent findings associate AGEs with familial, early-onset and sporadic forms of Parkinson’s disease, and with proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.  In one study, plaques extracted (post-mortem) from brains of patients with Alzheimer’s show a 3-fold increase in AGEs content compared to age-matched individuals who died from other causes.  AGEs are even found in cataracts.

Knowing what we know now, it seems almost quaint that science once viewed AGEs as a phenomena similar to wrinkles – they just happened and were considered mysterious and mostly inconsequential.

Kapahi is determined to give AGEs their rightful place in research on aging.  “When you’re looking at a biological process that impacts so many diseases you know you’re onto something interesting,” he said.  “That’s why I’m excited. That’s why we took the effort to write the review.”

The challenges and opportunities for researchers

The chemistry behind the formation of AGES was discovered in 1912and an AGEs-based theory of aging was proposed more than three decades ago. Kapahi says interest in the then red-hot field flagged when a drug designed to clear AGEs in diabetic kidney disease failed in clinical trials in 1998. “Previous research focused on addressing AGEs outside of the cell, in the blood and in serum. The problem is much bigger when AGEs go into the cells, that’s where we need to focus the attention.”

But it’s nearly impossible to study the biological development of AGEs and their implications in humans because they take decades to accumulate and there are obvious ethical concerns in encouraging the development of the toxic molecules in test subjects.  So how to get researchers excited about understanding and exploiting the biology of AGEs? Kapahi says the way to get at the pathways involved in AGEs lies in simple animals including yeast, nematode worms, and flies.  “We can model the diseases in these animals. Rather than waiting 30 years to see what happens in a human, we can see AGEs in nematode worms in two weeks,” he said.

C. elegans are used to study the effects of AGEs

Alejandro Gugliucci, a professor of Biochemistry and Associate Dean of Research at Touro University California co-authored the review.  He is an expert on the bad effects of sugar, particularly fructose which is used to sweeten many processed foods and beverages. Even though he works on efforts to study and stem sugar consumption in humans, he echoes Kapahi’s enthusiasm for basic research in simple animals.  “It’s the best way to get at the genetics and the biology behind AGEs. It’s the best way to screen compounds that could quash them,” he said. “If it doesn’t work in simple animals, it’s not going to work in humans. That’s where we need to start.”

Promising results from the Kapahi lab

Scientists in the Kapahi lab have found a sensor related to AGEs and the complications of diabetes in the nematode C. elegans. Publishing in Current Biology they identified two natural compounds which prevented nerve damage in worms experiencing a similar hypersensitivity to touch as do humans who suffer from diabetic neuropathy. AGEs have also been implicated in neuropathy in mice and humans.  “The worm findings gave us a pathway to study many of the ravages of type 2 diabetes, I’m sure there are others,” said Kapahi.

The lab is also working on a project exploring a link between diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers identified a gene that produces an enzyme that detoxifies the highly reactive compounds that cause AGEs. Mutations in the gene are linked to a familial form of Parkinson’s.  “The hope is to develop a new treatment for Parkinson’s,” said Kapahi. “The research also holds the tantalizing possibility that compounds that target this gene could be valuable in treating a number of age-related diseases.”

Okay, but what about AGEs in food? What do we eat?

If you want to see the effect of sugar binding with proteins and fats, look into your frying pan. The brown crust on grilled or pan-seared red meat is pure AGEs.  Kapahi urges people to avoid cooking with dry heat, opting instead for steaming, stewing, poaching and braising.  Frying with oil isn’t great either. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), fried chicken has more than six times the amount of AGEs when compared to a same-size serving of boiled chicken.

Boiled grains and sandwich breads are low in AGE’s but ADA experts say AGEs content can soar when those grains are processed into crispy brown crackers or sugar-sweetened cookies. Milk and yogurt are low in AGEs, but when moisture is removed and fat is concentrated (butter and cheese) the AGEs content rises dramatically.  For those with an insatiable hankering for grilled foods, the ADA recommends throwing fruits and vegetables on the grill. You’ll still get some AGEs, but in a small amount compared with grilled meats.

“Unfortunately AGEs taste great, even the worms and flies prefer them when they have an option,” says Kapahi, who often gets good-naturedly labeled as a killjoy at neighborhood parties. “Overall I think it’s good to follow a Mediterranean-type diet with lots of vegetables and whole grains with small portions of meat or other proteins.”

Thanks to the Buck Impact Circle

The Buck Impact Circle, a donor group that pools its resources to support collaborative early-stage research at the Institute, has chosen to fund many projects involving the Kapahi lab. In addition to supporting research on the complications of diabetes and the link between AGEs and Parkinson’s disease, the group has also funded projects aimed at determining if a ketogenic diet can protect against the complications of diabetes. This year they put their money toward research that tests compounds that show promise in lowering AGES associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology.

“I am extremely grateful to the Impact Circle for their support and encouragement,” says Kapahi. “Being able to interact directly with these donors is so personally rewarding, it helps remind everyone in the lab that our work is really focused on human health.”

“It has been such a joy and privilege to follow Pankaj’s research and to support his progress,” said Buck Institute trustee Bob Griswold.  He and his wife Alex are founding members of the Impact Circle.  “Belonging to this group is exciting and educational. Nothing compares to having a personal investment in work aimed at helping us all live better longer.”

Next steps in the research

AGEs are a group of compounds that include more than 20 different targets. Kapahi says there is a lot of work for researchers to tackle and he’s happy to talk to anyone interested in the field.

Touro’s Gugliucci is particularly excited about collaborating with Kapahi to work on compounds that enhance our natural defenses against the formation of AGEs. “This is the way to go, to prevent the formation of AGEs in the first place” he said. “I think there’s a good chance that we’ll be able to get NIH funding to move the work forward into mammals and ultimately humans.”

Kapahi says there are many questions that need answers. Why do some people get AGEs-associated diabetic complications even before they develop full-blown diabetes? Does aging affect the body’s efforts to detoxify AGEs and can we address the problem from that angle?  What are the different mechanisms to detoxify AGEs? How do our genetics influence AGEs accumulation and detoxification? Can we make compounds that slow the progression of AGEs accumulation? What diseases can they help treat?

Finally, Kapahi wants you to remember that he’s happy to talk about the research and be on the stump for AGEs. Just be sure there’s a friendly, open-minded crowd when you invite him to dinner.

Canine Companions for Independence Names Paige Mazzoni New CEO

Canine Companions for Independence, a Santa Rosa-based nonprofit that matches people with disabilities with trained assistance dogs, named Paige Mazzoni its new CEO.

She succeeds Paul Mundell, who resigned in November after three years as CEO and 28 years with the organization. Kay Marquet, former CEO of Community Foundation Sonoma County, was interim CEO.

Mazzoni’s more than 25 years of professional experience is concentrated in corporate strategy and management, strategic initiative development and marketing implementation, according to the organization’s announcement Tuesday. That includes directing product and company positioning at several high-tech companies. Most recently, she was chief marketing officer at Windsor-based VIP Petcare.

She is said to have served on the executive committee of several nonprofit fundraising boards, including the Buck Cardinal Board at Stanford University, her alma mater.

“I am eager to further the exceptional work of serving people with disabilities and work together to bring the organization to even greater heights,” Mazzoni said in the announcement.

Canine Companions said it has matched assistance dogs with nearly 6,000 veterans, children and adults with disabilities and claims to be the first nonprofit assistance-dog organization to help people with physical disabilities.

Dogs the organization trains understand over 40 commands related to helping clients live independently. Each dog, along with a lifetime of ongoing follow-up support, is provided free of charge to recipients.

“The Canine Companions national board of directors was impressed with Paige’s extensive experience in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, including the animal care field,” says John Miller, national board chairman for Canine Companions. “We are confident that Paige will continue to position Canine Companions as the leader in the assistance dog industry.”

Canine Companions employs over 225 and has more than 3,000 volunteers and partners at six regional training centers across the country, in Northern California, Southern California, New York, Ohio, Florida and Texas.

Bonnie Bergin created the organization in Santa Rosa in 1975. She left the group in 1991 and is now founder-president of Bergin University of Canine Studies and The Assistance Dog Institute in Rohnert Park.

Midstate Construction Complete Walnut Place

Midstate Construction Corporation recently completed rehabilitation of Walnut Place (West Marin Senior Housing), a senior residential community in Pt. Reyes, CA for owner EAH Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing development and management organization.

Designed by TWM Architects, this project included rehabilitation of a 25 unit existing senior residential facility completed in 1986.

The scope of work included interior and exterior renovations; seismic upgrades, new windows, roofing, siding, flooring, appliances, cabinets, sinks, covered porch, new common area, and an extensive community garden renovation.

Keysight Technologies Certified by Great Place to Work

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers, and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced the company is now certified as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®. Keysight earned this credential based on extensive ratings provided by its employees in anonymous surveys completed in June.

Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of Great Place to Work Certification & List Production, stated “According to our study, 89 percent of Keysight Technologies employees indicated that it is a great workplace.”

“We know anecdotally, that employees recognize Keysight as a great place to work, but it’s wonderful to see the results of this survey to confirm it,” said Ingrid Estrada, chief people and administrative officer at Keysight Technologies. “We were very pleased at the high level of employee participation in the survey, and the results provided us with valuable insight into areas of strength and improvement within Keysight.”

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, including Best Workplaces lists and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures.

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) is a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers, and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight’s solutions optimize networks and bring electronic products to market faster and at a lower cost with offerings from design simulation, to prototype validation, to manufacturing test, to optimization in networks and cloud environments. Customers span the worldwide communications ecosystem, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics end markets. Keysight generated revenues of $3.2B in fiscal year 2017. In April 2017, Keysight acquired Ixia, a leader in network test, visibility, and security. More information is available at www.keysight.com.

Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at Keysight.com/go/newsKeysight blog, and on FacebookGoogle+LinkedInTwitter and YouTube.

SolarCraft Completes Solar Install at New Sonoma Academy Zero Net Energy Building

Novato and Sonoma-based SolarCraft has completed a 143.3 Solar Electric System at Sonoma Academy’s newly constructed Janet Durgin Guild & Commons building.  The building is the first of its kind in the North Bay, an environmental and human health model based primarily upon the Living Building Challenge criteria: to create structures that not only minimize a building’s impact on the environment but help repair it.

Designed and engineered to offset 105% of total energy usage the solar photovoltaic system is roof mounted, consisting of two solar arrays, one of which is integrated with the ‘living roof’, installed by Symbios Ecotecture, using filtered greywater.  This 19,500 sq. ft. building is designed to create more energy than it uses, thereby returning surplus energy to the grid, making it a zero net energy (ZNE) and zero net water building.  “We are honored to be working closely with Sonoma Academy, WRNS Studios architects and XL Construction to help make this visionary project a reality”, says Robert Gould, Director of Commercial Sales at SolarCraft.  “It proves what is possible with innovative thinking to create a better world for all and the next generations. It’s an example that students, and the whole community, can learn from and be inspired by”.

In addition to the new photovoltaic system, a 208 kW solar power project was designed and installed by SolarCraft in 2016, offsetting energy use in their existing campus buildings.

“We are thrilled with the thoughtful design in every aspect of this project which enabled us to use free natural resources like natural light and fresh air”, stated Janet Durgin, Head of School and project namesake. “These elements make a huge difference in our teachers’ ability to teach and our students’ ability to learn. We intend to use the building and its energy systems themselves to teach sustainability in community. That is exactly the greater purpose we hope Sonoma Academy brings to the greater North Bay.”

The new solar power system will generate 210,000 kWh annually, enough electricity to power about 17 average homes per year.  It will avoid production of 156 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is the equivalent of removing nearly 10 million miles of driving over the next 25 years.  That’s also comparable to the air pollution removed by 184 acres of trees annually.

In addition to the rigorous certification requirements of the Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge, Sonoma Academy is Seeking LEED Platinum, ZNE, WELL Education Pilot, and LBC Petal certification for this progressive structure.

About Sonoma Academy
Sonoma Academy is the only independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County.  On its beautiful 34-acre campus nestled at the base of picturesque Taylor Mountain in South Santa Rosa, Sonoma Academy students are able to explore their interests and passions in a challenging environment that prepares them for college and life beyond.  The Academy has undertaken a program of environmental excellence, aiming for a zero net-energy standard for its new facilities.

SolarCraft is100% Employee-Owned and one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years.  SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Electric, Solar Pool Heating and Battery / Energy Storage.  With over 7,000 customers, our team of dedicated employee-partners is proud to have installed more solar energy systems than any other company in the North Bay.www.solarcraft.com.

More Than 1,800 People Protect Themselves Against Fraud and Identity Theft at Redwood Credit Union’s Annual Shred-a-Thon

More than 1,800 local residents took action to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft by shredding old financial records and other paperwork at Redwood Credit Union’s (RCU’s) free annual Shred-a-Thon, held at RCU’s administrative offices in Santa Rosa on Saturday, August 4, 2018. 56 RCU volunteers and eight shredding trucks from Shred-IT were on-site at the event to help the community safely dispose of and recycle approximately 60,000 lbs. of documents. Nine people also attended a free seminar at the event on ways to prevent fraud and identity theft.

Additionally, Conservation Corps of the North Bay collected nearly 18,000 lbs. of e-waste on site at the event, including old TVs, printers, monitors, computers, and other personal electronics for secure recycling.

“Shredding sensitive documents—such as old financial statements and bills—is one of the best precautions people can take against identity theft, so we were happy to once again provide this service to our community,” said Matt Martin, vice president of community relations at RCU.

Redwood Empire Food Bank was also at the event and collected more than $3,500 in monetary contributions and 450 pounds of food donated by attendees. These donations are estimated to help provide over 7,400 meals for those in need.

RCU holds Shred-a-Thons annually in several of the communities it serves, with their final 2018 event planned for August 25 in Ukiah, Calif. To learn more, including tips on what and when to shred, visit www.redwoodcu.org/shred.

About Redwood Credit Union

Founded in 1950, Redwood Credit Union (RCU) provides full-service personal and business banking to consumers and businesses in the North Bay and San Francisco. RCU offers complete financial services, including checking and savings accounts, auto and home loans, credit cards, online and mobile banking, business services, commercial and SBA lending, wealth management, financial planning services, and more. The Credit Union also offers insurance and discount auto sales through their wholly-owned subsidiary. RCU has over $4.3 billion in assets and serves nearly 320,000 Members with full-service branches from San Francisco to Ukiah, a nationwide network of fee-free ATMs, and convenient, free online and mobile banking. RCU can be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/redwoodcu and on Twitter at @Redwoodcu. For more information, please call 1 (800) 479-7928 or visit www.redwoodcu.org.

Sonoma Raceway Raised More than $95,000 for Area Non-Profits During NHRA Weekend

Charitable events combined to raise more than $95,000 for Northern California non-profit groups during the 31st Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, July 27-29.

The proceeds from the majority of events will benefit Sonoma County youth organizations through the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), the charitable arm of the raceway, which has distributed more than $6 million to qualified youth groups since 2001.

Fundraising kicked off on Thursday, July 26, at the 12th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night at Viansa Sonoma, which generated more than $35,400 for Sonoma County children. The evening honors the memory of Medlen, a native of Oakdale in the San Joaquin Valley, who succumbed to injuries sustained from a testing accident in 2007, and all proceeds from the evening benefit SCC in Medlen’s name.  Since its inception, this event has raised more than $303,400.

This year’s event focused on honoring someone within the drag racing community who embodies Medlen’s best qualities and has shown support of charitable efforts. The first SCC Eric Medlen Spirit Award was given to 2016 NHRA Funny Car Champion Ron Capps.

Special guests of the evening included Capps, emcee Jack Beckman, Scotty Pollacheck, Brandon Bernstein and J.R. Todd who helped auction off ticket and experience packages generously provided by Ron Capps, which all together netted $12,550. More than 100 attendees turned out for the dinner, including Medlen’s mother, Mimi, and his father, John.

Additionally, $1,460 was raised from donations at the Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 29. Following the final round of eliminations, fans were invited to enjoy a free scoop of ice cream, compliments of Clover Sonoma, and make a donation to SCC.  Speedway Children’s Charities also netted donations through the “Let’s Go Karting” charity raffle and the “Cash for Kids” display.

In addition to the proceeds generated for SCC, Levy Restaurants, the official caterer of Sonoma Raceway, hosted eight local non-profit groups to support concession stands around the facility. In return for their hard work, Levy gives back a portion of sales to support those non-profit organizations. These groups, including California Martial Arts Institute, Casa Grande Cheer, Petaluma Elks Lodge, Native Sons of the Golden West, O’hana Wa’a Outrigger Canoe Club, Rohnert Park-Cotati Cheer, Santa Rosa Cheer and Vallejo Raiders Youth Football, received a total of $57,392 from NHRA weekend concession sales.

For more information about the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and future charitable events or to make a donation, visit SonomaRaceway.com/scc or contact Cheri Plattner at (707) 933-3950 or cplattner@SonomaRaceway.com. If your non-profit group is interested in working with Levy Restaurants to fundraise at an upcoming event, contact Kimberly Conte at kconte@Levyrestaurants.com or 707-939-1454.

Friedman’s Announces New Distribution Yard to Support North Bay Home Building Industries

Friedman’s, a locally-owned home improvement, lumber and building materials retailer serving the North Bay and North Coast for more than 70 years, has signed a lease for a 3.5 acre site with a 30,000 square-foot warehouse to operate its new Distribution Yard.

The Distribution Yard, located at the Pruitt Industrial Park in Windsor, Calif., will exclusively serve construction professionals involved in regional home building, offering a substantial increase in lumber and building materials inventory and product offerings with jobsite delivery services.

“Friedman’s was built on the values of family, community and hard work, and today more than 70 years later, our approach has not changed and we are here to serve,” said President and CEO Barry Friedman. “The new Distribution Yard allows us to increase our offerings to the region’s contractors, with the goal of supporting the vast building efforts needed here over the next decade. We continue to be a strongly committed trusted partner and valued resource to our customers and our community.”

The Distribution Yard lease commences on August 1, with planned operations beginning in December. The new location and expanded product offerings and inventory will provide capacity for faster, more efficient deliveries with a tailored experience for professional contractors. While not open to the public, the Distribution Yard will enhance the service for all customers and make it easier to pick up materials at Friedman’s existing store yards throughout the North Bay.

“We are evolving with the needs of our community, and we have been listening to the needs of our contractor customers,” added Friedman. “We want to cultivate the best experience for these professionals working in our community, and the Distribution Yard will provide the materials, support, efficiencies and delivery services in a centralized location to help expedite regional homebuilding.”

About Friedman’s

Friedman’s is a locally-owned home improvement, lumber and building materials retailer serving California’s North Bay and North Coast. Built on the strength of generations of hard work, investment and service to the region for more than 70 years, Friedman’s legacy of deep reverence and care for its customers is experienced through its four retail locations in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sonoma and Ukiah, as well as its 3.5 acre Distribution Yard set to open in late 2018 serving professional contractors. With more than 620 employees, Friedman’s is headquartered in Petaluma and upholds a longstanding commitment to community involvement and philanthropy throughout Sonoma and Mendocino counties. For more information, visit www.friedmanshome.com and follow the company on Facebook.