I lived in Stockton for a few years in the late 1980s. My wife and I were newly married, and she was a features reporter for The Stockton Record. I really like the community. It is ideally located, in my opinion. It's close to the San Francisco Bay area, a short drive from the state capital and relatively close to some big-time skiing.

It is in some ways a leader in the green movement, but we moved away before the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce created REXPO, an annual conference that highlights sustainability and environmental stewardship. This year's event, REXPO VII, is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 9 at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd.

Panel discussions and exhibits are highlights. This year's panels are on clean energy collaboration for businesses, education and government; bottom line benefits of being a leader in climate change; and grant programs and financing.

Panelists include Paul Johnson, executive director of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization in Fresno; Sam Geil of Geil Enterprises; Joseph Oldham of the city of Fresno; and Seyed Sadredin of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Panama Bartholomy, deputy director of the California Energy Commission, is the luncheon speaker.

Here is more on the event from The Stockton Record.

image from centralstockton.news10.net