Matt Miller: Special businesses do indeed show the Spirit of Solano
By Matt Miller, The Reporter, Vacaville
Posted: 12/05/15, 5:18 PM PST | Updated: 1 day ago
The Spirit of Solano was indeed alive and well on Thursday at the Hilton
Garden Inn in Fairfield as the county’s business community gathered for its
annual luncheon honoring companies that thrive among us.
The stories were warm and genuine from this year’s recipients in regards to
their love of the region and the humbleness to which they credit their success.
Local chambers honored 10 businesses in this the 20th anniversary gala
sponsored by Westamerica Bank and the Solano Economic Development Corporation.
Vacaville’s Chamber of Commerce honored Ernest and Ken Sousa this year from
Stars Recreation Center. It was more than appropriate to honor this family that
has brought family entertainment to the county for more than 50 years. The
Sousa family opened Stars in 1998 and who among us hasn’t spent time on their
lanes and in their arcade sharing time with our own families.
“It’s a true honor,” said Bill Bollman, the bowling center manager who
accepted the award along with banquet manager Kelly Thaanum. “This is really
great fun. It’s what we do. We sell fun.”
The Sousa’s opened Fairfield Bowl in 1957 before moving to Vacaville and
opening Vaca Bowl in 1986. Stars is greatly involved in the community through
events like Grad Night, Girls Scout lock-ins and the Gotcha program that honors
some of the top middle school and high school students in the district.
Bollman talked about the Special Olympics athletes that bowl every Saturday
in preparation for an upcoming tournament. The joy they exude is contagious and
he said it is what make his job so much fun.
Dixon’s honoree this year was the famed Dixon Florist & Gift Shop.
Kevin Johnson from the Dixon Chamber was amazed and a bit apologetic that this
community icon hadn’t been honored before with its 50 years of exceptional
service. Courtney Kett runs the business with her sisters Melissa Taylor and
Dana Martin as a proud family venture. Step into the store at times of the year
like Christmas and it is a winter wonderland.
The Dixon Florist and & Gift Shop also gives to multiple causes in the
community. As one customer said in their biographical information in the
program, “You come in as a customer, but you go out as a friend.”
The Spirit of Solano stories were endless. Elease Minor was honored by the
Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce for her construction company Important
Details Inc. Minor retired as an executive at the University of California, San
Francisco to fulfill her dream of owning her own construction company.
Minor not only has a passion for her business, but she also has a passion
for helping mothers and children and giving back to the community. She assists
with Heather House to improve their operational structure and assist clients
with work and stability.
Miriam Sammartino lived with her family in the United States for many years
without legal status. After a career in microbiology and quality control, she
now practice law with a focus on Children, Family and the Law, as well as
Public Interest-Elder Law. Sammartino has a law office in Fairfield and was
honored by the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Randy Blakenchip was at a crossroads in his life. He asked for financial
assistance from family and opened a Texas Roadhouse franchise in Fairfield. He
now serves an amazing 32,000 guests a month at the popular restaurant and out
of the 450 Texas Roadhouse franchises his is ranked No. 6.
Blakenchip hasn’t forgotten his community, either. Among the many service
projects he has taken on is serving more than 1,000 veterans this past
Veteran’s Day and hosting a dine-in event for firemen and families that were
involved in the California wildfires.
The Vallejo Chamber of Commerce honored Touro University and its amazing
growth at historic Mare Island. Rio Vista’s Chamber recognized Lira’s
Supermarket, owned with love by Jim and Shirley Lira. It is indeed a family
business with the Lira children now involved.
Other winners included Tony and Sherry LoForte of Zio Fraedo’s of Vallejo
by the Filipino-American Chamber; Travis Armstrong and Republic Services-Solano
Garbage Company by the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber; and, Todd Bigelow from Round
Table Pizza of Benicia by the Benicia Chamber.
Congratulations to all the recipients.
The author is managing editor of The Reporter. E-mail him at mmiller@thereporter.com.
