Herlife Magazine Central Valley

10/08/2026

Aarya Menon: Dedicated to Children of Cancer Patients
By Mary Raffetto

High school student Aarya Menon is used to people’s surprise when they learn she is the founder of Project Rising Stars, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting children whose parent or caregiver is undergoing cancer treatment. After all, the teen who loves baking, painting, music and socializing was only 15 when launching the nonprofit, an idea that came to fruition after she had spent the previous summer shadowing an oncologist in a cancer treatment center.

“That summer I learned how the patients felt, what they were going through, and I saw how their children suffered, how concerned they were for their parents,” Aarya recalled. “It’s heartbreaking when a parent is going through cancer treatment and is limited in what they can do for their kids.” During cancer treatment, much can start falling through the cracks. From meals to help with homework, to wanting someone to talk with about what’s weighing on their minds, many parents and kids are doing the best they can to get through each day.

Deeply inspired to make a difference, Aarya began planning how she might be able to provide Christmas gifts and a holiday party for the kids of all the patients. “I cold emailed every doctor I could in the medical network, telling them my goal of providing these kids with gifts and asking for donations to help make that happen.” The donations came, but not only from doctors. People in the community heard about the project and wanted to help. “Laura Iacopi donated a substantial amount, which really got the ball rolling. I will always be grateful to Laura for doing that,” Aarya said with emotion.

Continue reading at:
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/spark-joy/aarya-menon-dedicated-to-children-of-cancer-patients/

10/07/2026

Fall is calling! 🍁🎃 Last year, we featured Dogtown Pumpkins in our Community Spotlight, and it’s easy to see why this local favorite has become a fall tradition.

If you’re looking for pumpkins and autumn fun, make a stop at Dogtown Pumpkins in Acampo! Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 22385 N. Elliott Rd.

Read our story about this family-owned pumpkin stand and then head out to experience it for yourself! 👇
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/fall-ing-in-love-dogtown-pumpkins/

10/06/2026

Celena Phelan: Artistry, Technical Expertise and Heartfelt Client Care at Lodi’s Wig Palace
By Mary Raffetto

“Wigs have come a long way…” – Celena Phelan, Lodi entrepreneur

Lodi entrepreneur Celena Phelan, owner of Salon Two Twenty, the Wig Palace and the Academy at Salon Two Twenty, always knew she would become a hair stylist and a businessperson. “I just loved hair and I knew since the eighth grade that this was what I wanted to do. I loved making people look beautiful and helping to build their confidence,” she said.

Twenty-two years later it’s a love that continues to grow as she expands the breadth of her business. In January, as an adjunct to the salon, Celena and her husband, JC, launched a fully credentialed cosmetology school. It was their way of addressing the fact that many cosmetology students are becoming licensed but are not as prepared as they need to be for the real work ahead.
In a move she feels was also predestined, Celena purchased the Wig Palace last fall, after witnessing firsthand how many women struggle with hair loss and thinning hair. “God knew I needed to own this wig store and planted the seed 20 years ago when I worked in a beauty shop,” she recalled. “Over time I got to know Bobbie Stoller, the owner of The Wig Palace, who would often come in to buy hairspray.”

Last year when Celena saw the business was for sale, she had a strong feeling about it and asked her husband to look into it. He found that the Wig Palace was an excellent fit for their values and purpose in the community. “Bobbie was incredibly accommodating to ensure a smooth transition and even stayed on for months, training each person individually and just gifting us with her decades of expertise,” Celena said. “So many things fell perfectly into place. It was definitely more than a coincidence; it was divine intervention.”

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/celena-phelan-artistry-technical-expertise-and-heartfelt-client-care-at-lodis-wig-palace/

10/02/2026

Meet our October cover girls, Dr. Hely Shah and Dr. Ravleen Grewal! ✨
By Rachel Fenton

The journey of life is never taken alone. Our lives are interconnected, if only for a moment, with those around us. From the family that surrounded us throughout our youth to the grocery clerks, baristas and healthcare workers we interact with briefly, we all walk alongside each other at some point. But sometimes, the journey of life takes a turn in a direction we never thought we’d be traveling in. When that happens, we depend on the people who walk with us.

The doctors at Stockton Hematology Oncology Medical Group have dedicated their lives to walking alongside those whose life journeys have gone directions they never thought they’d go, empowering their patients to fight the battles set before them.

For 30 years, Stockton Hematology Oncology Medical Group has served the community, treating patients with blood disorders and cancer. As an independent hematology and oncology practice founded by Dr. Prasad Dighe and Dr. Aminder Mehdi, they began small but have grown since their beginning, with eight physicians now dedicating their expertise to treating the community. The flagship location in Stockton is going strong, and the group has expanded to locations in Lodi, Manteca, Tracy and Modesto. Despite being an independent group, they work closely with other larger tertiary centers such as UCSF, Stanford University and UC Davis. “The collaboration, understanding and relationship are quite impressive for a group that’s independent,” said Dr. Ravleen Grewal, one of the talented physicians who works with Stockton Hematology and Oncology.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/inspirations/dr-hely-shah-and-dr-ravleen-grewal-every-day-is-a-constant-inspiration/

10/01/2026

Sophie: Sweet & Spicy Guardian 🐶

Q: What is your name?
A: Sophie. I am a golden doodle.

Q: How would you describe your personality?
A: I am very spicy. I greet everyone at the door with a happy twirl dance!

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
A: I love to watch for any action.

Q: Do you have a guilty pleasure?
A: Yes, I love snuggling with my favorite humans. I also love to wear my pearls.

Q: What was the naughtiest deed you did as a pup?
A: I loved to get in the Christmas ribbons and get all tangled up.

Q: What is your biggest obsession right now?
A: Being the best watch dog. I also like to chase cats.

Q: What is your favorite, most wonderful treat?
A: I love apples and will come running if I hear one being sliced up.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/wag-tales/sophie-sweet-spicy-guardian/

09/29/2026

A Nourishing Presence: Cina Thompson
By Rachel Fenton

Nothing grows without nourishment. A garden needs water and healthy soil, a child needs care from those around them, and even a city needs people who come together to support its infrastructure and community. Careers are no different – they flourish best through mentorship. Cina Thompson has a successful career that over its course spanned two different industries, but to her, the mentorship she’s both given and received is the most impactful part of her job. “Those have been my proudest moments…being able to pour into others. I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to do that,” she said. She also humbly credits many of her accomplishments to the support of her managers and mentors. “I had so many people who took time to help me grow,” she said. “Mentorship has been huge in my success.”

A life-long Stocktonian, Cina began her career as a call representative for Blue Shield of California, and from there began growing into leadership roles at the encouragement of colleagues and supervisors. She ended up being a manager for their Medicare clients, keeping her department running and developing strong relationships with their clients and staff alike. “[What] I loved the most was the engagement and the relationship and the community aspect of things,” she said. When she began looking for a career change to continue expanding and growing her professional skills, a position opened up at Republic Services that had everything she was looking for in a new job, and she accepted immediately.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/professional-women/a-nourishing-presence-cina-thompson/

09/26/2026

The Power of Harmony: The Centennial Gala for United Way and the Stockton Symphony
By Rachel Fenton

Often our world feels dissonant. The clashes and chaos among people and nations take center stage, overpowering everything else and making peace seem far away. However, when we turn our gaze toward our local community, we can find places where harmony overcomes the dissonance, bringing people together and rising above the conflict.

This year, two organizations that have brought harmony to our local community celebrate their centennial anniversaries: the Stockton Symphony and United Way. Instead of hosting separate celebrations, they have decided to come together, highlighting their similarities in an unforgettable gala that shows both their gratitude to the community that has supported them for the past 100 years and the zealous joy that drives them forward to last for another century to come.

The connection between United Way and the Stockton Symphony may not be immediately apparent, but for Maestro Peter Jaffe of the Stockton Symphony and Kristen Birtwhistle, the CEO of United Way, nothing could be more fitting. “We’re a convener; we bring people together for change. We invest and build nonprofits so they can serve the community,” Kristen said as she explained their mission. United Way has been carrying out their mission of “mobilizing the caring power of the community” since 1926, bringing together funds and community support for a vast number of organizations, including Hospice of San Joaquin, El Concilio, the One-Eighty Teen Center in Lodi and more. “Our symphony is the ability to make nonprofits sing and soar,” Kristen said with a laugh as she compared the Stockton Symphony and United Way. “Peter is in the art of music, and I’m in the art of service.”

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/community-spotlight/the-power-of-harmony-the-centennial-gala-for-united-way-and-the-stockton-symphony/

09/24/2026

Your Home, Your Choice: Hite Home Lending
By Rachel Fenton

Our lives are defined by the choices we make. Some are small and almost inconsequential, while others have the power to change our lives completely. When it comes to those big decisions such as choosing a life partner or a vocational path, we often turn to those around us for help and advice. Buying a home is one such decision. It’s not a mere purchase; it’s the largest investment most people will ever make. So, who will you turn to when choosing your forever home?

Dominique Hite-Khourdaji is no stranger to big decisions. She has built both her life and her business around helping people take advantage of their best available options. As a self-described “people-person” and someone with a big heart for her local community, Dominique originally studied psychology, working for a real estate company as a loan originator while she applied for masters programs. “I was pulled to psychology because of the impact you can make on somebody,” she said. “But I realized you can do the same thing in real estate and finance.” Dominique worked for the same company for eight years and was even in the top 1 percent of United Wholesale Mortgage brokers. Then she realized she could be even more present for her community by using her expertise to start her own business, Hite Home Lending.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/professional-women/your-home-your-choice-hite-home-lending/

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

Meet the Ladies from San Joaquin County Office of Education! ✨

Bella Githere — “It’s clear that Bella is passionate about her work.”

Michelle Hicks — “Supporting students and engaging them with what they are passionate about is important.”

Sophary Sam — “By building trusting relationships, we create an environment where students want to continue showing up, even when life presents challenges.”

Yvette Warren — “Everything we do at the SJCOE is to serve our students and our community.”

Read their full stories and get to know these inspiring women in the latest issue of HERLIFE Magazine!
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/professional-women/ladies-of-san-joaquin-county-office-of-education/