It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, some older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live in the comforts or their home rather than in an assisted living community. Home care in Ripon, CA, is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. We are proud to have helped tens of thousands of seniors to maintain a higher level of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home care services in Ripon, CA. Always Best Care is here to help.
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Highly Experienced #Caregivers provide everything in levels one and two, plus knowledgeable assistance to help seniors who are suffering from a chronic illness, who are bed-bound, and those who are on hospice.
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In retirement years, many #elders start to feel lonely and depressed with the lack of a social life. Hire #caregivers from Always Best Care of Fresno to reduce your senior’s loneliness and ensure their care.
“Worrying about senior’s care and #health in Assisted Living is common. Well, you can stop”
Worrying about senior’s care and #health in Assisted Living is common. Well, you can stop fretting now. Contact Always Best Care of #Fresno and find the best Assisted Living communities near you.
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How does In-home Senior Care in Ripon, CA, work?
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services
Personal Care Services
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson's or dementia.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout.
When it comes to non-medical home care, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible. If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Advanced Healthcare Benefits of Home Care in Ripon, CA
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care.
Age in Place
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
Peace of Mind
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your senior family member is in expert hands.
Socialization
Unlike many senior care facilities where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
Personalized Care Plan
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our care plans are tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for clients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Aging in Place The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Ripon, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and well-being. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than some long-term solutions. To make matters worse, some residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
Empowers Seniors Affordable Care Plans
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a care plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Some senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Compassionate Care Trusted Caregivers
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too!
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ripon, CA, understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
Taking the First Step With Always Best Care
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced care coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required.
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your care plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your care plan and its care coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a care plan.
An assessment of your senior loved one and the environment they currently live in
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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one
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Reviewing a detailed care plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs
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When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a care consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized care plan specific to your needs.
The Falcon’s Lair isn’t just a restaurant. Nor is it just a bar.Instead, the newest eatery in Ripon is, as its owner happily declares, a “vibe.”Think cushy chairs and dark walls and gold highlights and extravagant decor which are all meant to whisk you to another time. Owner Moe Willey, whose family runs the popular Gold Dust Pizza locations around the region, has opened her dream spot in her hometown.The new restaurant-l...
The Falcon’s Lair isn’t just a restaurant. Nor is it just a bar.
Instead, the newest eatery in Ripon is, as its owner happily declares, a “vibe.”
Think cushy chairs and dark walls and gold highlights and extravagant decor which are all meant to whisk you to another time. Owner Moe Willey, whose family runs the popular Gold Dust Pizza locations around the region, has opened her dream spot in her hometown.
The new restaurant-lounge is a tony looking, but relaxed feeling place that serves small plates, a few favorites and lots of craft cocktails. But really what Willey hopes it serves is endless ambiance.
“It’s hard to sum up (Falcon’s Lair) with just one word. Really, it’s a vibe,” Willey said of her Canal Boulevard space. “It’s a vibe that we don’t have here in the Valley and something I wanted to bring to our Valley. I want people to be relaxed. I don’t want them to be in a rush.”
Since buying the 6,000-square-foot building last September, Willey and her team have transformed the former Canal Street Grille space into an upscale speakeasy complete with personal touches from home. A pair of nearly life-size bronze goddess statues from Willey’s house greet guests, and the massive hostess stand was originally purchased to be her family’s bar.
Both cut a grand figure in the lobby, where customers choose one of two paths — to the left to the dining room and to the right to the lounge. In the dining room they’ll find tables and rich booths that can seat around 150. The lounge fits another 75 people (including on the attached outdoor patio) in stuffed chairs with low tables across from a 29-foot Carrara marble bar.
You’ll probably also notice all the old Hollywood touches inside right away, including posters and photos from famous Golden Era films and stars. Then, of course, there’s the name. The Falcon’s Lair was the name of 1920s Hollywood heartthrob Rudolph Valentino’s famed Hollywood Hills estate, where he would throw star-studded parties.
Since opening in late March, the Lair already has had repeat customers including Ripon resident Erin Danforth.
“We love it. Between Sacramento and who knows where there is just no place like this,” she said. “This is a breath of fresh air. I don’t have to go to Sacramento or San Francisco or anywhere else to get this atmosphere.”
Willey said they’ve been purposeful with how they operate as well. The lounge and restaurant have a large staff of 60 employees who are alert and attentive. The space also doesn’t have any televisions showing live programming, like sports or the news. Instead whatever screens are scattered around show old silent-era pictures.
The dining room has a stage in the back, and Willey said they’ve already begun to bring in local jazz performers to provide mood music. And they don’t accept reservations on purpose, because that would mean people would feel hurried to get out for the next guests.
“I want them to enjoy great music, fine cocktails, great food and one another,” Willey said. “That’s something we’re missing in society. We don’t take the time to enjoy one another and really talk. Off of our phones. Not watching TV. But just enjoying time with one another.
Plus, why would you want to watch anything else when the cocktail menu alone is filled with entertainment. The lounge has more than a dozen signature drinks — some like the smoked old fashioned that comes with a built-in show as they twice fire the whiskey in front of guests. Others like the lavender gin fizz are almost too pretty to drink — almost. Specialty cocktails run $14 to $15, and the bar is stoked with other top-shelf options all served by nattily dressed bartenders.
While the food may not be the main attraction, it’s still a feature presentation. The menu has about a dozen appetizers and small plates, from a share-size charcuterie board to lamb chop lollipops, oysters on the half shell and poke nachos (ranging in price from $10 to $35). The only entrees are its Bel-Air Burger ($17 with fries) and their specialty or build-your-own pizzas (which run from $19 for a small to $31 for a large).
Willey’s attention to detail even extends to the faux newspapers that the fries and pizzas are served on. The “Hollywood Herald” front page includes a prominent post about the Falcon’s Lair. In the end, she said, she just wants a place for friends, neighbors and everyone else to enjoy and unwind in style.
“(Ripon) is where we live, where our children grew up and live and we wanted to give back to our hometown,” she said. “So come for the vibe, don’t come for any other reason. Bring a friend that you like to talk with, or maybe somebody that you’ve been trying to talk with — maybe a daughter or a son. Just come in and enjoy time together.”
Falcon’s Lair, at 1225 Canal Blvd. in Ripon, is open 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday. For more information call 209-599-9999 or visit relicincorporated.com/falcons-lair.
This story was originally published April 3, 2023, 8:00 AM.
New dining option: Falcon’s Lair will alight in Ripon
A new restaurant and lounge is coming to Ripon and with it will be the opulence and luxury from the era of old Hollywood.Falcon’s Lair will be the name of the new establishment. The name is a homage to the rolling Bel Air estate built by 1920s screen star Rudolph Valentino. When it opens it will be the materialization of a long simmering dream for Moe Willey.Willey is no stranger to the restaurant industry and the hard work it takes to survive. At the incredibly young age of 13, she left home and for two years supported h...
A new restaurant and lounge is coming to Ripon and with it will be the opulence and luxury from the era of old Hollywood.
Falcon’s Lair will be the name of the new establishment. The name is a homage to the rolling Bel Air estate built by 1920s screen star Rudolph Valentino. When it opens it will be the materialization of a long simmering dream for Moe Willey.
Willey is no stranger to the restaurant industry and the hard work it takes to survive. At the incredibly young age of 13, she left home and for two years supported herself by bussing tables at different eateries in Humboldt County. She returned home for a short while, but it didn’t last and she went back to working at restaurants.
Over the years she has done most of the jobs associated with service, including owner. She and her husband Bob Willey own Gold Dust Pizza, which has locations in Ripon, Oakdale, Sutter Creek and Copperopolis and the Ice Cream Emporium. Their business has now grown to include their three adult children - Katie, Jeremiah and Hannah.
Willey’s idea for the establishment is an upscale vibe and look with budget-friendly prices. It will be an appetizer centric menu with lunch and dinner options and will be open seven days a week.
“It will be the type of place to come after work or out with friends to have some good food and drinks in a luxurious environment without having to pay Vegas prices,” Willey said.
The lounge will have a full bar and will feature cocktails that spotlight Ripon’s claim to fame as the almond capital of the world.
“I think it’s a place that will fill a void here in Ripon,” Willey said. “We wanted a business that wouldn’t take away from the realm of what’s already around and we think this concept does that.”
The interior will have lots of plush seating, crown molding details, opulent lighting fixtures and gold accents.
“That is my signature color,” Willey said with a laugh.
The location for Falcon’s Lair will be 1225 Canal Boulevard. The opportunity to purchase the building came to the Willeys and they decided to go for it.
The tenant, Canal Street Grille, was expected to remain at the site through Dec. 31, but the owners of that establishment recently announced on social media that they were permanently closed. Willey said the sudden closure has not changed their plans for a late February opening. The restaurant will have a staff between 60 to 80 employees when it opens.
Everything you need to know about the 60th annual Ripon Almond Blossom Festival
RIPON, Calif. — As almond blossoms begin to bloom across the Central Valley, Ripon is kicking off its 60th annual Almond Blossom Festival this weekend.The Almond Blossom Festival is Ripon's largest tradition, celebrating the small town's agricultural roots with a weekend full of events."There are roughly 50,000 acres of almonds grown in Ripon and the surrounding areas," Kelly Donohue the president of the Ripon Chamber...
RIPON, Calif. — As almond blossoms begin to bloom across the Central Valley, Ripon is kicking off its 60th annual Almond Blossom Festival this weekend.
The Almond Blossom Festival is Ripon's largest tradition, celebrating the small town's agricultural roots with a weekend full of events.
"There are roughly 50,000 acres of almonds grown in Ripon and the surrounding areas," Kelly Donohue the president of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce said. "The blossom itself is a Central Valley hallmark since the Valley is one of a few places in the world where almonds can grow."
The festival, held by the Ripon of Chamber of Commerce, begins on Thursday, Feb. 24 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 27.
"All of our local non-profits and community organizations pull together to put on a variety of events, combining everything you'd want in a big festival with small-town charm," Donohue said.
The festival features a carnival at Mistlin Sports Park where community members can enjoy rides, food, art and crafts vendors, live music, pony rides, petting zoos, and more.
Admission to the festival is free, but parking on the festival grounds is $5 and guests will need to purchase a $25 wristband if they wish to ride the carnival rides.
According to Donohue, proceeds will go to their local non-profit volunteers.
Thursday, Feb. 24:
Friday, Feb. 25
Saturday, Feb. 26
Sunday, Feb. 27:
Roadways will be closing down around 11:45 a.m. for Saturday's parade, which starts at East Main Street and Stockton Avenue and make its way to the Community Center of West Fourth Street.
West Main Street at Acacia Avenue and West Fourth Street at South Acacia Avenue will be open until the parade starts for north and southbound traffic. Second Street at Vera Avenue will be open for east and westbound traffic until the parade starts.
With some roads closing down, impacts are to be expected. For a live look at traffic conditions, view the Waze map below.
For more information about the Ripon Almond Blossom Festival, visit the Ripon Chamber of Commerce website or Facebook.
Gold Dust Pizza owners bringing old-Hollywood flair to Ripon with new lounge, restaurant
Some old-time Hollywood glamour is coming to Ripon.The family behind the popular Gold Dust Pizza parlors dotted across th...
Some old-time Hollywood glamour is coming to Ripon.
The family behind the popular Gold Dust Pizza parlors dotted across the valley and foothills are opening a new restaurant in their hometown. Ripon native Moe Willey is readying Falcon’s Lair, a new small plates and craft cocktails lounge in the former site of the Canal Street Grille.
The new restaurant is named after silent screen-era star Rudolph Valentino’s famed Hollywood Hills estate, where he would throw lavish parties. Willey said she wanted to bring some of that glitzy allure to the valley and give local diners a unique night out.
“(Valentino) hosted a lot of parties at his beautiful mansion. So the idea was when you eat at (Falcon’s Lair) it feels like it would have at a Hollywood party,” she said.
So instead of large entrees and traditional dishes, the new eatery will offer small bites, appetizers and top-shelf cocktails. The menu also will include specialty pizzas (but made in different styles from their existing Gold Dust pies) as well as a burger.
But otherwise expect offerings like oysters on the half shell, lamb lollipops, charcuterie boards and brunch items. Willey said they want to provide high-end offerings while keeping prices more reasonable (starting around $14 for cocktails and plates). Falcon’s Lair will be open for dinner weekdays and for lunch/brunch and dinner Friday through Sunday.
The new establishment is a departure for Willey, whose family has created a mini pizza empire in the region over the years. Willey’s husband, Bob, started Pizza Plus in 1984. Then in 2015, the couple opened their first Gold Dust Pizza location in Oakdale and changed their existing Pizza Plus in Sutter Creek to a Gold Dust at the same time.
They have since sold all their Pizza Plus locations, but now operate four Gold Dust Pizzas: the first Oakdale and Sutter Creek locations plus sites in Copperopolis and Ripon. They opened the Ice Cream Emporium, two doors down from their downtown Ripon pizza shop on Main Street, in 2020.
Willey said her family’s love for Ripon — where their three children Katie, 22, Jeremiah, 21, and Hannah, 19, all went to school, live and help with the business — inspired them to purchase the building to open the restaurant.
“We wanted to bring to Ripon what we’ve seen in other places we really enjoyed visiting like Los Angeles and San Francisco and Las Vegas,” Moe Willey said. “Nowadays they go with a lot of appetizers and craft cocktails. Something that is more about the experience and environment.”
The building’s previous tenant, the steak and chops restaurant Canal Street Grille, had been in the location since 2007. But after the Willey’s closed the deal on the building last September, the Grille closed in early November.
Its Facebook page posted a note to customers announcing the closure and thanking them for their patronage.
“All of us at The Grille are thankful and grateful for the opportunity to serve you, our wonderful customers, for the past 15 years! We are saddened to announce that due to our building being sold, we have no choice but to close our restaurant. We appreciate your loyalty and support over the years!”
It is unknown if the owners plan to reopen elsewhere.
The 6,000-square-foot building has been remodeled and redecorated completely. The Willeys have installed a new bar and turned the old banquet room into a lounge area. The new restaurant can seat about 200, with an outdoor patio bistro area as well.
Following its Hollywood inspiration, Willey said she wanted to emulate a 1920s speakeasy atmosphere, but with upscale bites and decor filled with antique and contemporary touches. There also will be plenty of gold, Willey’s favorite color (which is reflected in the pizza chain’s name based on the Fleetwood Mac classic “Gold Dust Woman” — that also doubles as a Gold Rush-era homage for its foothill locations).
Another area the Willeys want to splash out is on hiring, with a planned staff of 60 to 70. Moe Willey said they are striving to provide “superb customer service,” and allow employees to give customers better attention and care.
By comparison, between their four Gold Dust and one Ice Cream shops the family employs about 150 workers.
“I used to be a waitress when I was young and I know how exhausting it is when you’re working the whole place,” she said. “So I don’t want to overload the servers. I want people to have a great experience.”
The restaurant is still hiring for some front and back of the house positions. Willey said they are aiming for a late March opening.
Ripon Christian volleyball coach Kayla Kootstra uses one word to describe her team during its CIF Northern California Division IV Regional playoff run: Together.When they were seeded ninth by the se...
Ripon Christian volleyball coach Kayla Kootstra uses one word to describe her team during its CIF Northern California Division IV Regional playoff run: Together.
When they were seeded ninth by the seeding committee, the Knights knew there was a good chance they would spend their entire NorCal playoff run on the road.
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They spent the first two rounds traveling to San Francisco twice in three days and Cottonwood on Saturday, beating eight-seed Lowell, top-seed Urban and fourth-seed West Valley on their way to the NorCal regional championship against No. 11 Head-Royce of Oakland.
“Seedings are what they are,” Kootstra said. “Would we have loved to have a home game before the NorCal finals? Absolutely. But also I think that was the route that we had to take to get here tonight.”
The Knights opened up a quick two set lead at home on the Jayhawks on Tuesday night, but the visitors took the third. After regrouping in the fourth, Ripon Christian took home its second ever NorCal title, 25-15, 25-19, 15-25, 25-21.
The win brings a matchup with a familiar opponent in the state final Saturday at Santiago Canyon College in Orange. Ripon faced Central Valley Christian of Visalia in its season opener. Ripon Christian won, 3-0.
Kootstra has been part of both Northern California championship teams. The Knights won the 1999 Northern California and State championships. She played on the team with her now assistant coach Melissa Blanco.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Kootstra said. “Because it’s been so long since we’ve done it, it makes it that much more exciting for these girls. It’s a special group and to be able to be a part of both of the NorCal championships that we’ve had in different capacities kind of makes it come full circle.”
The Knights dominated the first two sets, but the Jayhawks fought back in the third. They changed up their attacking strategy and Ripon Christian couldn’t find an answer.
“They made a great adjustment and started tipping and roll-shotting, and we weren’t picking it up,” Kootstra said. “From there it was just one thing after another seemed to go against us. Honestly, we haven’t fallen apart like that in a while, so props to them for taking us out of our game and out of our system.”
In the fourth set, things turned around.
Jordan Vander Veen came alive, leading the team on a late run that included eight unanswered points. She had 10 kills in the final set including a kill on match point.
“Our coach told us if we really want to win this game, we need to figure it out with each other and come together,” said Vander Veen who finished with a team high 23 kills and six aces. “She really pushed us.”
Being seeded ninth, behind teams they’ve beaten this season made the Knights hungrier to prove they were better than others thought.
“I would definitely say we felt like underdogs,” Vander Veen said.”I think we came out ready to prove ourselves and we really wanted to beat anyone we faced just to prove that we were the better team.”
Ripon Christian saw it all in its run to the state championship. From sweeping the first overall seed to coming back from down 0-2 in the regional semifinals and on Tuesday, winning a Northern California Regional Championship in front of its home fans in a battle of the “Cinderella” teams.
Kootstra called the past week and a half a “whirlwind of emotions.”
“Every time we stepped into the gym for practice, I was telling the girls like you gotta take it in because this could be our last time on this court,” Kootstra said. “(We’ve been) looking each other in the face knowing that we’re a very good volleyball team, but we had to do it all together and for one another and not for ourselves. They’ve done an amazing job of coming together and overcoming a lot in order to get to this point.”
Kootstra has raved all season about how well rounded this year’s team is and that showed Tuesday night. Setter Megan Weststeyn finished with 36 assists and 10 digs, Avery McMurray led the team with 13 digs and Sydney Hoffman added seven kills.
They hope to take that into Saturday’s championship as they look to bring the school’s second ever state title.
“It’s really exciting because we haven’t done this since our coach was a player,” Vander Veen siad. “So it’s cool to have that for her and honestly, I’m just really excited. I knew we could do it and it’s pretty cool that we actually did it.”
This story was originally published November 16, 2022, 11:16 AM.
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