I would like to congratulate Jana Saastad and the staff for the new expanded Lodi Living section in the Saturday edition. I have been a fan of Jana's work since she joined the staff as entertainment editor.

More than anyone I can remember, she has shown an eagerness to learn about and to write about every facet of our rich and varied cultural life here in Lodi. Each week, I look forward to reading her lively and perceptive pieces, which explore both familiar and unfamiliar topics concerning the entertainment, culture and lifestyles in our community.

And the expanded section gives her and the staff additional opportunities to do that.

I was particularly interested in the April 20 article about Kevin Crews, the new stage technician at Hutchins Street Square. As the vice president and concert chairman for Lodi community concerts, I have had the pleasure of working with Kevin on two concerts since he joined the staff.

He has shown himself to be very knowledgeable about operating and maintaining the complex state-of-the-art equipment in the theater. And he has been enthusiastic and hard working in his efforts to see that everything is properly prepared for each event so that he and his crew can do an outstanding job of giving the needed technical support.

In preparation for our last concert, Kevin called me three times during the weeks before the concert and met with me on the day of the concert to be sure that everything was properly prepared and coordinated for our event.

Even during the concert, he was checking to make sure that everything was exactly right for the artists and our patrons.

It is a real pleasure to work with someone like Kevin, who makes every effort to provide the technical support needed to make each event a success.

The staff at Hutchins Street Square has spent a long time searching and interviewing for this position. It was worth the wait. Kevin is exactly the right person to supply the kind of technical support needed in our beautiful theater. Welcome to Lodi, Kevin.

Wayne Shrope Lodi

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