More than a fourth of the businesses in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties are owned by women.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2007 women owned 7.8 million non-farm businesses in the United States, an increase of 20 percent from 2002. Women-owned businesses accounted for nearly 29 percent of all non-farm businesses in the United States

Golf is a respite from the pressures that a bad economy can wreak on the psyche.  Golf is a social game and studies show that people who engage in social activities live six years longer, on average, than those that don’t.

Georgia Kovich-Lee, director of athletic marketing at UOP, said staging the Dec. 9 game at the Stockton Arena will provide exposure for the downtown business community. For fans new to Stockton, Kovich-Lee said it will give them the opportunity to see the city’s beautifully restored waterfront. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

In 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau reported 34,534 businesses operating in San Joaquin County with 28.3 percent owned by women. Of the 27,310 businesses located in Stanislaus County, 27.1 percent were owned by women.

Gillian Murphy, director of Delta College’s Small Business Development Center, said the center offers a once-a-year training program for women entrepreneurs. The six-week program, which usually is offered during the summer, provides help for women planning to open or expand a new business.

Stockton Lightning President Dan Chapman said the AFL’s decision to suspend operations indefinitely will not alter the AF2’s plan to play the 2010 season and beyond.